Seeking the Life in Christ

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

The Law of The Spirit

Meditations on

Staying in the Grace for Today

June 17, 2026

The Law of The Spirit

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”

Matthew 5:17

In the St. Louis Museum of Westward Expansion, there is this excerpt taken from the journal of Lansford W. Hastings, Overlander:

“We had proceeded only a few days travel, when the American character was fully exhibited. All appeared to be determined to govern, but not to be governed . . .”

I believe Hastings got it right; we Americans are a rebellious lot. We don’t like anyone to tell us what to do. However, we also have strong feelings about law and order; we don’t subscribe to anarchy. This disposition toward rules heavily influences our Christian experience. We have ways of measuring our discipleship and the health of our churches. That’s not a bad thing when it helps us achieve Godly goals. However, we want to be careful to measure the things God wants us to measure.

Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the law. Now, as the Apostle Paul so eloquently put it, it is for freedom that Christ has set us free from the requirements of the law. (Galatians 5:1) Religious law paved the road toward a right relationship with God. The problem was that for mortal humans, it was a never-ending road; we could never reach our destination. Then Jesus came and completed the journey for us. Now we have realized the destination of a right relationship with God the Father Almighty by grace through faith. However, Jesus did not set us free to live lives of anarchy. Again, the eloquence of Saint Paul: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death” (Romans 8:1-2 NRSV).

The laws of God are available to help us along our journey to make the life in Christ our way of life. However, they have been replaced as the means to our right-standing with God. Now our right-standing with God is made certain by the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.

My Takeaway: As our lives are governed by the law of the Spirit, which is love and compassion in Christ Jesus, there is only one measurement I need to be concerned with: how visible in my mortal flesh is the love and compassion of Jesus?

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life. The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Christ-Centered Ego Strength

Meditations on

Staying in the Grace for Today

June 16, 2026

Christ-Centered Ego Strength

“When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled.”

John 11:33

Because Jesus was fully human, he experienced the full range of human emotions. However, he not only experienced emotions and natural physical responses to his environment, he also fully expressed his humanity. When Jesus was angry, he expressed it. When he was disappointed with his disciples, he expressed it. When he was touched by human kindness, he responded with gratitude. When he was saddened by the sadness of others, he expressed it. When Jesus had an expectation for how he wanted details arranged, he expressed it. When he had a preference for his own comfort, like sleeping in the back of the boat during a storm, or needing to be alone, he expressed it. These are qualities of Jesus’ life that I believe he wants to live out in the lives of his followers as we seek the life in Christ as our way of life.

There are several ways these qualities can be made manifest in our daily lives. The narcissist has little trouble expressing their preferences in life. However, they also make little progress in dying to self so that Christ may express his preferences in their life. A person raised in a loving, affirming environment possesses sufficient ego-strength to express their preferences in an appropriate manner. By appropriate manner, I mean there are times when we should defer our preferences so that others may realize their preference.

However, for many people, expressing a preference is a challenge. When asked for our preference, we are far more comfortable deferring to others than expressing our heart’s desire. In fact, many people are so out of touch with their own needs they don’t really know what their heart desires. Ask them what they want for their birthday or where they want to go out to eat and they are stuck for an answer. I believe Jesus’ heart breaks for these of his brothers and sisters. He wants so very much for them to be so grounded in his unconditional love for them that they will grow to love themselves and mature with a Christ-centered ego-strength.

My Takeaway: As we train ourselves in the ways of Christ, and seek to respond to each interaction we have in life following the simple acrostic WWJD, I believe we will experience God forming Christ within us until we can easily say, “Thank you, I would like . . . “

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Monday, June 15, 2026

To Become Eucharist

Meditations on

Staying in the Grace for Today

June 15, 2026

To Become Eucharist

“But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.””

Luke 10:41-42

I have loved this little episode because I always thought of myself as being just like Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus. But the truth is, I am way more like Martha: too worried and upset over the details of life. It is easy to deceive ourselves. Think back to the songs or hymns you sang in church recently. Most all affirm our hearts and lives as fully-devoted followers of Jesus. But do the affirmations in those songs and hymns truly reflect our daily lives?

At some level, we want to mean what we sing. However, if we took the time to truly process what we are singing, I suspect we would shudder at the disconnection between what we are singing and how we live our lives. But we are not to despair; there is no condemnation for those who love the Lord. However, if we will seriously undertake this little exercise in self-awareness, we may well experience conviction, the work of the Holy Spirit leading us into all truth.

I am trying to be more intentional about monitoring my outward actions and words, as well as my inner thoughts and feelings, to measure them with the person I want to be, sitting at the feet of Jesus. The word Eucharist is helping me in my quest. This word is translated “Thanksgiving” in protestant liturgy used in services of Holy Communion. It is because of all that God has done in Christ, as represented in the sacrament of Holy Communion, that I can come to God’s Throne of Grace with a grateful heart to sing those praise songs and hymns.

My Takeaway: I believe it is God’s ambition for me to become Eucharist to the world around me as I live a life of joyful gratitude. As a living Eucharist, I will reveal Jesus in my mortal flesh. I want to do just that! How about you?

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Friday, June 12, 2026

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler

Meditations on

Staying in the Grace for Today

June 12, 2026

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler

“For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh.”

2 Corinthians 4:11 (NRSV)

Let’s make it our goal to be continually aware of the presence of Jesus in our life. How do you do that? First, remember “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you” (Romans 8:11a). (The truth of this scripture is that you can initiate a conversation with the Holy Spirit, and this gives you the awareness of Christ’s presence in your life.)

Sometime in the coming days, you may find yourself in the grip of adverse circumstances. You may be so perplexed you don’t know what to do, or how to pray. Good. All you need to do is whisper, “Abba, I need you”, and you will experience the Holy Spirit praying for you with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. As you relax in the presence of the Risen One, a smile will engulf your face because you will know that God is working your circumstances for good. At that very moment, God is forming Christ within you. (See Romans 8:26-29 & Galatians 4:19)

Sometime this week you may find yourself at a gathering of friends. You may want to shout, “Laissez les bon temps rouler.” Go ahead, and as you do, remember Jesus at the wedding at Cana (John 2). I suspect Jesus may have had a twinkle in his eyes as the Wine Steward took a sample of the new wine to the bridegroom. Jesus may have said to himself, “Laissez les bon temps rouler --- “Let the good times roll.”

This simple discipline of just remembering Jesus in the ordinary times of life, will enable you to be given up to death for Jesus’ sake, which is Paul’s way of saying that we die to self-interest. When we do, the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh.

My Takeaway: I think it really is this simple. As we remember the teachings of Jesus in the everyday events of our life, we can have an active awareness of Jesus showing himself strong in our life. Then the good times really will roll.

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Thursday, June 11, 2026

With Fear and Trembling

Meditations on

Staying in the Grace for Today

June 11, 2026

With Fear and Trembling

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”

Philippians 2:12b (NRSV)

Often in the social media, people will post stunning pictures of the beauty of nature as evidence of the Creator God. There is, however, another view. Thomas Long begins his excellent book on the nature of evil by remembering a great turning point, perhaps the tipping point, in the development of Enlightenment philosophy. It was the earthquake of 1775 that destroyed Lisbon on All Saints Day. Thousands of worshippers were killed when their churches crumbled down on top of them and then they were swept out to sea by the ensuing tsunami. (What Shall We Say?: Evil, Suffering, and the Crisis of Faith, Thomas G. Long, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2011) In the aftermath of this terrible disaster, people openly questioned the nature and existence of a god who could allow his followers to die while they were worshipping him.

Life is full of contradictions. So also, is the journey of faith. Our attempts to fully integrate our beliefs about Jesus into our daily lives are wrought with one step forward quickly followed by two steps backwards. As we seek the life in Christ as our way of life, our experience certainly does not resemble a straight, wide open interstate highway. The Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap, North Carolina, with three hundred eighteen curves in eleven miles, is probably a better roadway analogy.

One of the most important social developments of the twentieth century was the establishment of self-help groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Al Anon. Two aspects of these groups are essential in our faith journey. First, we are not alone, others struggle along with us. (When you get to your small group in heaven, ask Peter to tell you how it felt to pledge his love to Jesus on the beach and get filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, only to struggle with jealousy with Paul’s missionary success.) Secondly, we get to be in accountability groups where our fellow travelers can ask us, “So, how’s it going with your issue of jealousy” Or lust, or anger, or whatever . . . you get the point!

My Takeaway: Life is full of contradictions, as is the journey of faith. What keeps me doing my best to move forward is my passionate belief, my trust in the truth of the Apostle Paul’s affirmation: “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (Philippians 2:13).

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

The Sound of a Gentle Whisper

Meditations on

Staying in the Grace for Today

June 10, 2026

The Sound of a Gentle Whisper

“And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.”

1 Kings 19:12

The Prophet Elijah had journeyed to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God, to escape his enemies. Then the Lord called out to Elijah, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” (1 Kings 19:9b-10). The Lord’s response to Elijah is fascinating. God told Elijah to come out of his cave, and as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by. A mighty windstorm hit the mountain, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, there was the sound of a gentle whisper, and the Lord was in the gentle whisper. (I Kings 19:11-12)

The Lord then asked Elijah, a second time, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah gave the Lord the very same reply. And the Lord said, “Go back the same way you came” (1 Kings 19:15).

I believe there is a tendency among people to expect to encounter God in powerful worship services where the choir or praise team are good, the congregational singing robust and full of joy, and the sermon outstanding. Maybe so. But I wonder if God’s message to us through Elijah is that before we can experience the presence of God through power, we first need to experience the presence of the Lord in His gentle whisper. I believe Abba wants us to hear His voice as we sit in a Board meeting, as we visit with a friend, or even as we walk the aisles of a grocery store. There are things God wants us to notice, people He wants us to touch, and truths He wants us to proclaim. Regrettably, the noise of life drowns out the voice of God far too often.

My Takeaway: It has been my experience in life that my hearing Abba’s gentle whisper is directly proportional to the amount of time I spend quietly listening for God in Scripture.

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Resting in His Smile

Meditations on

Staying in the Grace for Today

June 9, 2026

Resting in His Smile

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.””

Matthew 11:28-30

One of the most precious fruits of the life in Christ is resting in God’s smile of affection. God is quite fond of us and when He thinks of us, God smiles. One of Abba’s greatest hopes and dreams for us, His beloved children, is that we would learn to rest in our own smile of affection for our life. This is why Bernard of Clairvaux could teach that the highest level of love is when we love ourselves for God’s sake.

All of Scripture reinforces God’s love and affection for us. Thus, God is modeling for us how we are to love ourselves. Psalm 56 is a great illustration of God’s love for us. The psalmist is trusting in the wisdom and power of God to be sufficient to help him. He is also affirming the very personal relationship he has with his God of mercy, power and love; he is resting in the sure knowledge that he is God’s child.

Take a few minutes to contemplate these verses from Psalm 56.

You keep track of all my sorrows.

You have collected all my tears in your bottle.

You have recorded each one in your book.

This I know: God is on my side!

For you have rescued me from death;

you have kept my feet from slipping.

So now I can walk in your presence, O God,

in your life-giving light.

Psalm 56: 8, 9b, 13

This furious longing of Abba for me keeps track of my sorrows, collects my tears in His bottle, is on my side and has rescued me from death. God’s love for me keeps my feet from slipping so I can walk with Him in His light. He will personally go ahead of me and will be with me. He will neither fail me nor abandon me.

My Takeaway: Jesus adds, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Receive this love from Jesus and learn to rest in his smile of affection for you. As you do, you will learn to gaze at yourself in a mirror and rest in your smile of affection for your life in Christ.

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

The Law of The Spirit

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Christ-Centered Ego Strength

Monday, June 15, 2026

To Become Eucharist

Friday, June 12, 2026

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler

Thursday, June 11, 2026

With Fear and Trembling

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

The Sound of a Gentle Whisper

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Resting in His Smile

Seeking the Life in Christ

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