"Search me, O God"

1/29/09—1/30/09

Romans 6—

• No obligation to sin
• The Reality of union with Christ
• Walking in newness of life
• Slave to righteousness
• Sin has no more dominion

If I sin it is a voluntary “tax” given to an illegitimate lord, an utter imposter.

If I live to myself I am ignoring my union with Christ and worshipping myself.

• Bearing fruit to righteousness
• Fleshing out holiness
• Obeying the Word
• Identifying with Christ

Psalm 84—

• “No good thing will He withhold”
• Nothing
• Nothing good that He has not given to me
• Everything in my life is good
• For my profit
• In Christ—because I have Christ

If I can imagine anything good outside of Christ, then I am only imagining it.

If I am not satisfied with what He has given into my life, I am not looking at Christ

• Trusting in His “muchness”
• Living out of His goodness
• Loving His fellowship
• Worshipping Him

2 Corinthians 5—

• “The love of Christ constraineth”
• Laboring with eternity in view
• We make it our aim to be pleasing Him
• The great transaction—my sins to Him; His righteousness to me
• In this we groan—immortality—to see His Face
• Sin’s transfer to Christ—His payment
• New creatures—in Christ

If I can live to myself, then I am not living in the reality of the love of Him Who died for me and rose again.

If I am seeing Christ truly, then my life will radically center on Him and His Person.

• Longing to be with Him
• Being His ambassador
• Being borne along by His love
• Living out my union with Him
• Identifying myself as His alone

Christ

• Do I really, genuinely, abandonedly, joyfully, uncalculatingly, purely trust Him?

• Am I accurately, passionately, determinedly, hopefully, confidently, desperately, purposefully fixing my eyes on Him—seeing Him, seeking Him, desiring Him?

• Is Christ my Life? Can I bear even the thought of life without Him?

• Do I live only for His good pleasure and approval, or do others hold illegitimate sway in their opinions and reactions?

• Am I satisfied with Christ alone? No knowledge of the future’s holdings, no boy, no ability to make plans, hard classes, little sleep, people’s demands and expectations, my sin battles, etc.? Do I live in His promised sufficiency?

• Am I thankful for all that He has chosen in love for me? Do I bless the Lord and remember all His goodness to me?

• Does my life bear out the truth that Christ is Enough—solely and fully?

• Do I love Him like He is worthy of being loved? With heart, soul, mind, and strength?

• Am I passionate—authentically, consistently passionate—about His Person, His Word, His ways, and His personal friendship with me?

• Would I settle for less than waiting for Him to act? Would I be willing to manipulate things, people, circumstances in order to bring my will to pass, rather than rest in Him and wait patiently for His good purposes to be fulfilled?

• Will I stake my life absolutely on His truth?

• Do I carefully weigh the minute implications of His Word in my life and diligently apply them—with discipline, without swerving, with meticulous attention, and with loving, willing devotion?

• Am I His in every sense of the word?

• Is He satisfied as He considers my life?

• Can He put His full good pleasure upon my life because He is the One Who is Ruling in all things—sitting upon the throne of my heart?

• Could He say the same of me as He did of Job?

• Is He most exalted? Is the preeminence His?

• Can He freely reflect Himself in me?

• Is He willing and pleased to be worshipped by me, or does He find my worship unacceptable or defiled in any way?

O that it may be Christ! Christ Alone. Christ Supreme.