The Call of Christ is to be Possessed

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

- Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)

Live your best life! It’s a phrase that has been spoken and sung, even in Christian circles, as an encouragement to step out of the box, be inspired, chase after your dreams, and get the life you always wanted to live. To do better; be better; live better! Sounds appealing doesn’t it? But even if you became the best version of yourself, it would still fall short of the glory of God. The call of Christ is not to be better, and certainly not to have a better life. Galatians 2:20 tells us that we are not even supposed to be living, but rather to die to ourselves and our desires for our lives. That is after all what crucifixion is. And the cross is not a pendant on a chain to wear around one's neck. The cross is an instrument of death, and our Savior willingly gave up His life on the cross so that we could be made alive in Christ.

Our lives after salvation is a POSSESSED life, having been filled with the Spirit of Christ, and with a willing submission to His will and way for our lives. Yes, we may still be walking on the earth in the flesh as a living human being, but it's a life lived by faith, knowing that the One on the inside who we yield our lives to, is One who loves us. Who chose us and has a plan and a purpose for us before the foundation of this world. (Eph. 1:4) Who knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10) and has said that all things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purposes! (Romans 8:28)

And by all things, . . . He means ALL THINGS!

So even in the seemingly worst of circumstances, when things don’t look like they are getting better; when you’re stuck in the box or like Stephen at the end of Acts 7, being dragged out of the city and martyred with stones; Stephen died gazing into heaven, seeing the glory of God and Jesus standing at His right hand! Acts 7:55 reveals that Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit, and had just finished boldly declaring before the council of high priests, his faith in the crucified Son of God! Stephen was not living his best life. Stephen was POSSESSED and living his life by faith for the glory of God!

As children of God we have been called. Not to be better, but to be POSSESSED by the Spirit of Christ, and to live according to His purposes, and for His glory! The question is, have you been POSSESSED?