Living a Christ-centered Life in a Me-centered World
Nowadays, we hear a lot of phrases like, “Do what's best for you,” “Treat yourself," "You do you," "Follow your heart," "Live your truth," "Self-care is not selfish," "Create your own happiness," "Be your own hero," and "No one can love you until you love yourself." I must say, I’ve said these phrases more times than I’d like to admit.
But it’s not just about what we say. It’s also deeply ingrained in modern-day society. People have personal brands and businesses that revolve around themselves. We take selfies and show people what we’re eating and where we’re going. It’s all about us, and it’s easy to get caught up in that or be influenced by it.
As a Christian, the problem with this me-centered culture is that it goes against the ultimate purpose of your life and the reason for your existence—to glorify God. From the moment you wake up to the time you go to bed, every action, thought, and decision should reflect and point to Him.
From the moment you wake up to the time you go to bed, every action, thought, and decision should reflect and point to Him.
Glorifying God in What You Do
The Apostle Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 10:31,
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." This means aligning every aspect of your life with His will.
Similarly, in Colossians 3:17, Paul instructs,
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
These verses apply not just to big, life-changing actions, but to your everyday routines as well. From how you interact with your neighbors to how you approach your job, everything should be done with the desire to honor God.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
Understanding the Gospel of Jesus Christ is crucial for a Christ-centered life. The good news of the Gospel centers on what Jesus did for you.
The good news of the Gospel centers on what Jesus did for you.
He lived a perfect life, died for your sins, and rose again, offering you eternal life and a relationship with Him. Because of His sacrifice, you are called to live as a living sacrifice for Him, as Romans 12:1 beautifully puts it:
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."
Living this out means allowing Christ to live in you and through you, as Paul expresses in Galatians 2:20,
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Worship and Service
Your life should be an act of worship and service, seeking first His kingdom in everything you do. Jesus himself taught us in Matthew 6:33,
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
When it comes to worship, approach God in spirit and truth (John 4:24), and in your daily life, acknowledge Him in all your ways.
Christ-centered Gospel vs. Me-centered Gospel
There’s a big difference between living a life focused on Christ and living a life focused on yourself. When you shift from a Christ-centered view of the gospel (all about what He did for you) to a “me-centered” view (all about using the Gospel to get a better and happier life), you lose sight of your ultimate purpose. True conversion and being born again often lead to trials and challenges, but these are opportunities to grow, bring glory to God, and experience His peace.
True conversion and being born again often lead to trials and challenges, but these are opportunities to grow, bring glory to God, and experience His peace.
Jesus warned in John 16:33,
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
1 Peter 4:12-13, the Apostle Peter also reminds you not to be surprised by trials but to rejoice in them because they allow you to share in the sufferings of Christ.
The Promise of Peace and Joy
Despite the difficulties you face as a believer in this world, living a Christ-centered life gives you an unexplainable peace and joy. Philippians 4:7 promises that God’s peace, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
Romans 15:13 assures you that as you trust in Him, you will overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Evaluating Your Motives
The Lord pointed out that my motive for eating healthy and exercising was all wrong. Initially, I told Him I wanted to honor Him with my body by eating healthy and exercising, but He knew my true heart. One morning, after seeing no weight loss, I thought, 'If I'm not going to lose weight, I might as well give up.' At that moment, the Lord reminded me of my original prayer and the true, pure motive I should have. So, it's important to regularly evaluate your motives to ensure they are centered on Christ. Here are some practical examples, including my own:
Diet, Health, Exercise, Hygiene, Clothing: Are you striving for a healthy lifestyle to honor the body God has given you (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)? A me-centered thought might be: “If I don't lose the weight I want, I'm going to give up on this diet - it's not worth it!” A Christ-centered thought would be: “This new healthy eating plan helps me take care of the temple God has given me, and it glorifies God. That's the best reason to keep going.”
Finances and Giving: Are you giving cheerfully to honor God and advance His kingdom (2 Corinthians 9:7)? A me-centered thought might be giving to get something, to feel like a good person, or to show off. A Christ-centered thought would be giving to honor God and advance His kingdom even if your personal finances don't improve.
Prayer: Are your prayers focused on worship and gratitude, not just your own needs (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18)? Thinking only about myself when praying would be like using prayer to get God to do things for me. It's totally fine to pray about our own needs, like it says in Philippians 4:6:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
But a Christ-centered prayer should be all about spending time worshiping Him, surrendering ourselves completely to Him, and showing gratitude.
Work and Excellence: Are you working with excellence to honor God, not just for personal gain (Colossians 3:23-24)? For example, working solely for money is all about me, whereas putting in our best effort and doing excellent work to honor God is being Christ-centered.
Renewing Our Focus
To have a Christ-centered life, it's important to keep renewing your mind with God's Word. Romans 12:2 tells you to be transformed by renewing your mind so that you can know God’s will.
According to Ephesians 4:23-24, we are meant to put on our new selves, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Practical Steps
Here are some down-to-earth steps for living a Christ-centered life: Start each day with prayer and reading the Bible (Psalm 119:105), serve others in Jesus' name (Matthew 25:40), find someone to hold you accountable (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10), and ask God to show you how to bring Him more glory.
Embracing His Promises
Even if our lives aren't perfect, God promises to always be with us.
Even if our lives aren't perfect, God promises to always be with us.
His grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Keep Christ at the center of everything you do, and remember that it's a daily commitment with eternal rewards.
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