A LIFE IN CHRIST
Jesus Christ, risen and reigning, has entrusted His Church with a commission that extends to the ends of the earth. As the Lord Himself declared, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). This was no mere suggestion—it was the heartbeat of God’s redemptive mission. The apostles were not sent merely to make converts, but disciples—those who would follow Christ in full surrender, obeying His words, and bearing His likeness.
To be a disciple is to commit one’s life wholly to Jesus, to deny self, take up the cross daily, and walk in His steps (Luke 9:23). It is not about words alone, or attending services, or agreeing with doctrinal statements. It is a living union with the Lord—He in us, and we in Him (John 15:4).
What It Means to Be a Christian
We are called Christians, a name first given in Antioch (Acts 11:26). But more than a title, it is a testimony. A Christian is one who has seen in Jesus Christ not only a Savior, but a Master, a Friend, and the Lord of all. “You call Me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am” (John 13:13).
We do not follow Him for ease, comfort, or prosperity, but because we have beheld the Lamb of God, and our hearts have been captivated by His mercy.
Once, we were filthy in His sight, clothed in the garments of sin and death. “All our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6), and we were dead in trespasses (Ephesians 2:1). But then, by grace, we looked upon Him in faith. “Look unto Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 45:22).
And when we looked, He received us. He cleansed us. He made us new. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Rejoicing in the Lord Always
In Philippians 4:4–8, Paul gives us a pattern for the Christian mindset: a life not ruled by circumstances, but by Christ. He writes: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice!”
Paul does not say to rejoice in everything that happens. Some things grieve us. Some things are unjust. But in every season, we can choose to rejoice in the Lord—because He does not change (Hebrews 13:8), and He is near (Philippians 4:5). His joy is not the result of earthly ease, but the fruit of abiding in Him (John 15:11).
“The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). This joy—the joy of Christ Himself—is what marks the true believer. It is joy that flows from knowing Him, loving Him, and being kept by Him.
Do Not Be Anxious—Pray
The apostle then exhorts: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).
Worry is natural to the flesh, but we have not been called to live by the flesh. Every anxious thought is a divine opportunity to turn to God in prayer. Not just occasional prayer, but a life of unceasing communion with the Father (1 Thessalonians 5:17). God wants to hear from His children. He commands us to come. “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
And this prayer must be filled with thanksgiving—not merely asking, but trusting, remembering, and thanking God for who He is and what He has done.
Peace That Passes Understanding
As we pray, something amazing happens: “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
This peace is not of the world. It is from above (James 3:17). It is not the absence of problems but the presence of Christ. It is the very peace that ruled His heart in the storm, that kept Him silent before His accusers. And now it is given to those who walk with Him.
“My peace I give to you…let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). This peace becomes our guard. It stands sentinel over our thoughts and emotions, keeping us grounded in Christ Jesus.
Set Your Mind on These Things
Paul ends this thought with a call to holy meditation: “Whatever things are true…noble…just…pure…lovely…of good report…meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8).
The battleground of the Christian life is the mind. What we allow to fill our thoughts will soon rule our lives (Proverbs 4:23). God calls us to fix our minds not on the passing, polluted things of this world, but on that which is eternal, lovely, and Christ-centered.
We are called to see the world differently, not through the lens of fear or selfish ambition, but through the eyes of Christ. To walk in the Spirit, to love as He loves, to serve as He served. This is the life that brings joy, peace, and purpose.
Christ—The Center of All
In the end, it is all about Jesus. “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
We do what He has called us to do. We love as He has called us to love. We fix our eyes on Him and run the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1–2). Christ is the center, the source, and the goal.
Let us live as disciples—true disciples—who abide in Him, rejoice in Him, pray to Him, and walk in His peace.
“He is sufficient.”
“Christ is all, and in all” (Colossians 3:11).
Bryan Dewayne Dunaway
