The Star!

Imagine sitting in a theater to watch a film telling the story of your life and on the big screen you saw the words, “This Is Your Life”, Starring _________ !” Who would be the star? Well, it's your life, right? Or is it really you that is the MAIN CHARACTER in the story of your life or me of mine?

Remember the parable Jesus told of the rich fool. Here was one who most definitely had self on center stage in his life. ( Luke 12:16-19) Also consider the life of a man known as Saul of Tarsus. ( Acts 9:11) Though he was a religious man ( Acts 22:3; 23:6), his zeal was taking him the wrong direction. ( Acts 8:3; 22:4-5) Being the proud star of the story of his life, he focused on a rich fleshly heritage ( Philippians 3:4-5), but eventually realized he could not depend on a righteousness of his own, but rather one made possible by JESUS CHRIST. ( Philippians 3:9)

Sometimes actors will go by a stage name in order to allow them to have some privacy away from the stage. Saul had a name change, but as Paul he did not take the LEADING ROLE. Paul learned something about setting self aside and allowing another to become the MAIN CHARACTER of his life.

In his letter to the church at Philippi we read…
“(20) as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as ALWAYS CHRIST WILL BE HONORED in my body, whether by life or by death. (21) For TO ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST, and to die is gain.” ( Philippians 1:20-21 ESV)

CHRIST became the CENTRAL CHARACTER in the story of Paul’s life! In his letter to the church at Galatia he pointed out that he had been “CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST” and that it was no longer he himself who was living, but CHRIST LIVING IN HIM! ( Galatians 2:19-20) JESUS CHRIST was the MAIN CHARACTER of Paul’s life and also his message. ( 1 Corinthians 1:22-23)

What about us? As Christians, who is truly the MAIN CHARACTER of our life story? Has it become CHRIST? Or is self getting in the way?

Writing to the church at Colossae, Paul pointed to how our life should be seen.
“(1) If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (2) Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (3) For YOU HAVE DIED, and YOUR LIFE IS HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD. (4) When CHRIST WHO IS YOUR LIFE appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” ( Colossians 3:1-4 ESV)

If we have died to self, self is no longer in the forefront; self no longer has the leading role. Perhaps we could view self as the understudy of the one who does have the lead part. Paul said our life is to be seen as “HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD.” If that is so, then it is CHRIST and GOD Who are to be seen as having the LEAD ROLE in our life story. In essence the story of our life is to be pictured as CHRIST BEING OUR LIFE! Praise God that such a STAR was born, gave His life for our sins, was raised to life and has ascended on high.

Have a great day LETTING CHRIST REMAIN OUR LIFE STORIES’ MAIN CHARACTER!
Carl

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