Galatians 2:20a I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:

Ever since the invention of the camera phone selfies have been sent from phone to phone and posted on the internet. Some are funny, some are just sad, even the president has been caught up in it.

Having been part of a difficult conversation about Christ in us, it seems many of us have a difficult time seeing Christ in ourselves. We would love to take a selfie and look to see “Hey that looks like Christ.” I wish it was just that easy.

A selfie is a snapshot in time, a moment of capturing an image which cannot and should not be mistaken to represent all that you are in this life. Christ in us cannot be seen that way either. We cannot expect to see Christ in  ourselves by any moment, evidenced on film or in words on a piece of paper.

Galatians 2:20b and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

So often we look at living by faith as living by my faith, but that is not what the scripture says. The faith of the Son of God, He is the faithful one. Living by my faith is but yet another “selfie”. That is why it seems so difficult to capture an image of Christ in us. Living by faith is not static, it is an outpouring of the spirit which is invisible. If you want to see Christ in you, don’t look in the mirror or take a selfie, look to the effect of Christ on others.

John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

You won’t see the wind blowing, but you will see the leaves on the tree move.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Ever since I had my stroke I cannot see well enough to tie a leader to a fly. That makes fly fishing rather difficult. I have to allow my son to tie my fly and then I can cast into the waters to enjoy fishing. I have limits, there are some things I just cannot do for myself.

When you read the opening verse, where is your focus, attention, or even intension? If I can do all things, what are my limits? Am I limited? It does say I can do all. Are there things you have tried and like me with the fishing leader become frustrated with our inabilities? If you are like me, the answer would be yes.

Where in this verse are our constraints, our limits? If you look closely to the term “through Christ” you will discover exactly what those limits are for us all. Jesus Christ is God in the first person. He is God and God is unchanging. You will never find Jesus acting like someone else. He never does anything out of character of who He is as God. We so often want to do things sincerely, even righteously, even lovingly, but are frustrated by perceived failure.

I have heard “God has put it on my heart” so many times I have begun to ignore the words. Sincerity, righteousness and love are important conditions of our heart walk with God, but do not speak to God’s will. His will is done not out of our heart condition or obedience of faith. Those things only open the door for Jesus, whether He steps through and does God’s will isn’t under our control.

Being frustrated with my limits doesn’t get the leader tied. I humble myself and ask my son to do this thing for me.

John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.