If you are not saved it is impossible to live for Christ. As a lost sinner we did not have the ability to produce good works for God. Our sin nature prevented us from serving God. However, this all changed when we placed our faith in Christ.
Rom. 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
The believer is identified with Christ and through the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer, we can have spiritual victory in our daily living. This deliverance came through Christ Jesus. Because of this we have a new relationship with God. In our standing with God our old (sinful) nature died with Christ. Christ’s death and resurrection was a victory over sin.
We are a New Creation
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Here we are reminded that as believers we are part of the body of Christ. We are a new creation. We have a new sense of purpose and have an appetite to serve God.
No longer are we held in bonds to sin but have become a new creation of God’s. Instead of spiritual death, we have spiritual life. Instead of being separated from God, we are reconciled to God. Instead of receiving the wrath of God, we will blessed with all the heavenly blessings.
Present yourself as a Servant to God
Believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit. We have been changed by Christ. As a a new creation we now can produce good works through Him.
We also have the capability to love Christ where before we only had the capability to despise Him. Before we only had our fallen sinful nature as our guide but now through Christ we have been given a new Master to guide our thoughts and deeds.
Rom. 6:12-14 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Live for Christ
Even though are old nature was defeated on the cross it still battles for control. Upon our death or resurrection our old sin nature will be no more. Until that day though, our old nature will continue to battle our new nature.
The sin nature will continue to wrestle for control of our mind. Because of this constant battle it is important that we fill our mind with the word of God.
God has poured his love upon us and because we have been crucified with Christ we now have the ability to live for Christ.
—Galatians 2:20 NKJV “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.”
Remember, through the Holy Spirit indwelling us we are powerful tools in God’s hands. Before we could only serve the lusts of the flesh but now we have the power to serve God. There is no better calling! Do not feed the old nature but yield to the Spirit. Read, study, intake the word of God and go to God regularly in prayer.
2 Cor 5:15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.