A Manner that is Worthy.

Lately I've been taking notice of my responsibility to God and feeling it weigh on my shoulders a little bit more. I've been realizing the great and mighty calling that He has for me as a child of God. I've been compelled by His Word to step my life up a notch when it comes to pleasing Him and representing Him well.

Philippians 1:27 has been on my heart this week:
"Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ."
Wow. That is a crazy powerful statement to me.

It doesn't just say "live Holy because God is Holy" or "take after Christ's example in the way you live your life" both of which are what we are taught to do elsewhere in the Bible. Rather, this verse says "Let the way that you live your life be worthy of what Christ has done for you."

Basically, "Live in a way that is worthy of Christ's death."

Is there anything I can do that is worthy of Christ's death?

I mean seriously, there is no possible way that I could even remotely live in a way that deserves any form of His grace.

And this is the realization that I have been coming to almost every day of my life these days.

It seems like a harsh reality to be in. And it is, but it's also comforting. And it also challenges me.

So every day I wake up and ask myself what I can do today to act worthy of His grace. And maybe all it is, is to pour into the lives of those around me. And maybe He wants me to spend extra time in prayer. And maybe He wants me to call my parents, or an old friend, or write a letter to someone I haven't seen in a while. And these are all things that I am willing to do for Him, and examples of what I have been doing.

But what has changed, is that I'm opening up to Him more through this realization. I'm constantly asking Him what I can do and constantly looking for opportunities to act in a manner that is worthy of Him. And He never fails to open up doors and teach me more than I could have learned before.

This life is a privilege. I'm tired of living it within the realm of my own selfishness.

So ask yourself this: How can you live in a way that is worthy of the Gospel?