Living Moment-by-Moment in Dependence on Christ

In our journey of faith, many of us often grasp the truth of the exchanged life—Christ living His life within us and through us. Yet, when faced with challenges, we can revert to self-effort, striving to manage things in our own strength. This creates a gap between what we know intellectually and what we live out practically. Our challenge, then, is moving from head knowledge to heart experience—where we not only know Christ lives in us and through us, but we actively trust God to manifest this truth as we respond to the Holy Spirit.

Living in the reality of the exchanged life involves learning to depend on Christ moment by moment, yielding to His indwelling presence. Instead of simply understanding principles, we allow them to transform us as we trust God’s work within us. Recently, conversations with a pastor friend led me to see the importance of balancing our rest in Christ’s sufficiency with the Bible’s call to “work out our salvation.” This balance sparked the creation of a simple phrase I use to refocus when I sense myself slipping into self-reliance: “Lord, I trust You to live Your life in me and through me in this moment.”

This phrase is not a formula, checklist, or self-improvement mantra. It is a heartfelt return to Christ as the source and expression of our life. It reminds us that Christ is alive in us, expressing Himself through us. As we move through both challenging and joyful times, this phrase helps us stay grounded in the truth of His presence.

Christ as Our Authority and Lord

The phrase begins with “Lord,” acknowledging Christ’s authority over every part of our lives. Recognizing Jesus as Lord is essential to the exchanged life because it signifies surrender: we are no longer in control—He is. Philippians 2:9-11 illustrates this, saying, “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

In John 13:13, Jesus is acknowledged as “Teacher and Lord,” and He affirms that title, adding, in John 15:14-15, that we are not merely His servants but His friends. This balance between Jesus as our Lord and Friend shapes our relationship with Him. By surrendering to His authority, we also walk in fellowship with Him.

Surrendering Self-Reliance

Following “Lord,” we say, “I trust You.” This trust is foundational to the exchanged life. We abandon self-reliance, placing our dependence on Christ’s life within us. Proverbs 3:5-6 exhorts, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” When we say, “I trust You,” we recognize that we cannot live the Christian life in our own strength. Rather than relying on our limited understanding, we rest in Christ to live His life within us.

Psalm 37:5 further invites us to “commit our way to the Lord” and trust that He will bring His purposes to fruition. This surrender brings peace, as Isaiah 26:3-4 tells us, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Peace arises not from our efforts, but from resting in the One who has already accomplished the work on our behalf.

Christ as the Source and Expression of Life

“To live Your life in me and through me” expresses our reliance on Christ as both the source and manifestation of life. Galatians 2:20 beautifully captures this: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” We do not strive to live for Christ by our strength; we yield to His life within us, trusting Him to express His love, power, and grace through us.

John 15:5 illustrates that Christ is the vine and we are the branches. Without abiding in Him, we can do nothing. Our fruitfulness, strength, and life itself depend on our union with Christ, allowing His life to flow through us. This dependence on the Spirit is underscored in Romans 8:10-11, where we see that His life within us empowers us to live righteously and victoriously.

Trusting Christ in the Present

Finally, “in this moment” reminds us to trust Christ’s sufficiency not only for the future but for each present moment. Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:34, “Do not worry about tomorrow… Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Rather than being burdened by tomorrow, we are called to trust Christ in the here and now.

In times of need, Hebrews 4:16 encourages us to come boldly to Christ for His grace in the moment. This moment-by-moment dependence anchors us in the reality of His presence within us. We allow Christ to live through us, knowing His grace is sufficient for every circumstance we face.

Scriptural Foundations for Living in Christ’s Life

The phrase, “Lord, I trust You to live Your life in me and through me in this moment,” aligns closely with Scripture. Colossians 3:1-17 provides a rich context for this principle, urging us to set our minds on things above and live from our union with Christ.

Colossians 3:3-4 declares, “You died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God… When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” We put to death our old self, and Christ becomes our life. By trusting Him, we allow His life to flow through us, shaping our actions and interactions.

This passage goes on to encourage us to “put on the new man,” which is renewed in knowledge according to Christ’s image (Colossians 3:10). The fruit of Christ’s life—mercy, kindness, humility, patience—arises not from our efforts but as natural expressions of His presence within us.

Philippians 2:13 reassures us, “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” When we trust Christ to live in and through us, He aligns our desires with His purposes, empowering us to live in alignment with His will.

Practical Application in Everyday Life

So how do we apply this practically? Life is full of challenges, decisions, and moments of temptation. In each moment, we have an opportunity to trust Christ as our functional source of life, re-centering our hearts and minds on His presence.

When faced with temptation, such as anger or anxiety, rather than relying on willpower, we can pray, “Lord, I trust You to live Your life in me and through me in this moment.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us that God provides a way of escape. Trusting Him to live through us empowers us to rest in His strength rather than grit our teeth.

Similarly, in decision-making, we are encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6 to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Pausing to ask, “Lord, I trust You to live Your life in me and through me in this moment,” can bring clarity as we allow Christ to guide us.

Even in seasons of joy, we can acknowledge that our joy flows from Christ. John 15:11 affirms, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you.” Our joy is rooted in Christ’s presence, not in our circumstances.

Conclusion

The phrase “Lord, I trust You to live Your life in me and through me in this moment” encapsulates the essence of the exchanged life, reminding us of our need for Christ in every situation. We don’t strive to be more like Christ on our own; we yield to His life within us, allowing Him to express Himself through us.

This approach to life is not about checking off a list or following a formula. It’s about resting in the reality of Christ’s presence and letting Him work through us. As we trust Him, we experience the peace, joy, and fullness that only He can provide.