For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.

Romans 14:8 (ESV)

 

Our faith rests in the person of Christ. It is believing that His finished work qualifies our salvation. As we continually abide in Him, we are being conformed into His image and likeness.

Growing to be like Christ is the work of His Spirit dwelling within us. The Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of sonship. It is He who equips us with the right mindset so that our attitude and actions reflect we are truly sons and daughters of our Father. In other words, God is always working in us to have a right relationship with Him.

This right relationship is both the expression and manifestation of our gospel rest in Christ.

We are to think of ourselves as now dead to sin and alive in Christ. We can live for God, and with God because Christ lives in us. Our desire to please God comes from the understanding that God is pleased with us, and we know God is pleased with us because we are imputed with the righteousness of Christ.

We are not doing anything to earn our place. Rather God has given us the ability to walk right before Him. If we do not lose confidence in what Christ did for us, then we will continue to grow from grace to grace to become like Him in all things.

The Apostle Paul exhorts us to “live to the Lord” because “we are the Lord’s”. We are to live a life that reflects Christ is living in us and through us. There are no hidden agendas, double lives or dishonest practices. It doesn’t mean we won’t slip or stumble along the way. Rather we keep putting on Christ (or “dressed up” as a true child of God) — and make no plan to satisfy our sinful desires or indulge in our sinful habits (cf. Romans 13:14).