Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
Philippians 1:21
1:21 For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain.
What Is a Christian?—
When the apostle Paul, through the revelation of Christ, was converted from a persecutor to a Christian, he declared that he was as one born out of due time. Henceforward Christ was all and in all to him. “For to me to live is Christ,” he declared. This is the most perfect interpretation in a few words, in all the Scriptures, of what it means to be a Christian. This is the whole truth of the gospel. Paul understood what many seem unable to comprehend. How intensely in earnest he was! His words show that his mind was centered in Christ, that his whole life was bound up with his Lord. Christ was the author, the support, and the source of his life (The Review and Herald, October 19, 1897). {7BC 903.1}
Paul is the perfect example of how forgiving God is. Paul was the chief persecutor of Christians, until Jesus came upon him on the road to Damascus. Paul wrote much of the New Testament, and traveled throughout Asia, Greece, and Rome proclaiming the everlasting gospel. Paul made it his mission to witness to all that Christ is risen, and lives in all if they believe in Him. Paul repented of his sins, the old self died- his gain, making him a new creature. For his faith Paul was martyred, also his gain. He shall obtain his crown in heaven, to live with Jesus forever more.
Our Father in heaven,
We thank You for giving us Your life that we may live in You and You in us. We confess and repent of our sins that the old man in us may die for our gain, to be born again, making us new creatures. For making us the Christian You intended us to be, the creature You created in Your own image. We pray that we may continue to be faithful witnesses as Paul was, to be what it means to be a Christian. We pray that we may be an example to others, and a source of strength to them. May we one day receive our crown in heaven and live with You forever more. We thank and praise You, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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