The apostle Paul was in prison and yet so utterly oblivious of self that his sole desire was that Christ should be magnified in his body, whether by life or by death. Christ was the only object in all that Paul desired and did; everything was centered around Him. Paul was following the example of our blessed Lord, for Christ never sought to please Himself but always did those things that pleased the Father. Jesus said that His food is to do the will of Him who sent Him and to finish His work. We are told to “be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Eph. 5:1–2). Indeed, Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it, but, even in this, God was the object before His soul. He ever sought God the Father’s glory, and this was the governing motive of His death.

Christ alone should be the object of our lives, of our thoughts, feelings, plans, occupations, and activities. We are His, and therefore we should live, not to ourselves, but to Him who has died for us and has risen again. What a searching test this is! Do I purpose or desire anything? Is it for Christ? Am I busy in service? Is it for Christ? Can I look around my home and say of all that I behold, “It is for Christ”? Thus, “for Christ” supplies us with a principle that can be applied to everything in our daily lives—a principle which makes nothing of self but everything of Him. This will indeed bring us true peace and happy fellowship with God.