Sober in Christ: A Life Transformed by the Cross
Living sober in Christ is more than abstaining from substances or behaviors—it is a call to confront the reality of the cross, die to ourselves daily, and embody Christ’s love, even for our enemies. This causes a radical humility and deep love to grow within our hearts.
Dying to Self: A Daily Surrender
The Christian life begins at the cross, where Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. But our journey does not stop at salvation; it continues in daily surrender. Dying to self means laying down our own desires, ambitions, and rights to follow Christ wholeheartedly. As Paul writes in Galatians 2:20 NIV, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
In our daily surrender to Jesus, we are faced with choices that challenge our commitment to Christ. Will we cling to our own ways, or will we trust in His? True sobriety in Christ demands a willingness to let go of anything that separates us from God – be it pride, resentment, or distractions.
The Reality of the Cross
The cross is both a symbol of victory and a reminder of the cost of our redemption. Jesus’s suffering was not just physical; it was the weight of humanity’s sin borne out of love. When we think on this reality, we are humbled and convicted to live lives worthy of that sacrifice.
To carry our own cross, as Jesus commands in Luke 9:23, means to embrace the challenges and sufferings of following Him. It is in these moments of difficulty that we are refined and drawn closer to God. The cross strips away the idea of self-sufficiency, while constantly reminding us of our dependence on Him.
Loving Our Enemies: The Mark of True Sobriety
Living sober in Christ can be as simple as loving our enemies. Jesus’s command in Matthew 5:44 NIV to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” goes against my every instinct. I want to prove my point and bring the person to shame. I want revenge. I want to win. Yet, it is the very thing He calls us to lay down that we desire, yet it sets us apart as Christ followers – love and humility.
Loving our enemies requires us to not hold their past against them, to give undeserved grace while consistently leaning into reconciliation. The same people we want to hurt are also image bearers of the God we say we love — individuals created in His image, in need of His grace. This kind of love is only possible when we are rooted in Christ and draw strength from the Holy Spirit.
Walking in Sobriety
To be sober in Christ is to live with a clear mind and a pure heart, focused on His purpose for our lives. It is an invitation to live counter-culturally, rejecting the chaos and distractions of the world for the peace and joy found in Him.
As we die to self, embrace the reality of the cross, and love our enemies, we become living testimonies of God’s transformative power. This journey is not easy, but it is worth it. In Christ, we find freedom, purpose, and the strength to love as He loves.
May we daily take up our cross, walk in sobriety, and shine His light in a dark world.
- Valissa Calhoun
Comments