The Exchanged Life

The Exchanged Life
By John Woodward
August 10, 1998

One phrase that is often used to describe the process of allowing Christ to live His life through us is "The Exchanged Life". It was a phrase used in chapter 14 of the devotional biography, Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret. The great missionary to China, who had been frustrated in his attempts to live the abundant life amidst the vast challenges of pioneer missionary work, came to experience the profound truth of Galatians 2:20 "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."

In a letter to his sister, Taylor wrote, "The sweetest part, if one may speak of one part being sweeter than another, is the rest which full identification with Christ brings. I am no longer anxious about anything, as I realize this; for He, I know, is able to carry out His will, and His will is mine. It makes no matter where He places me, or how. That is rather for Him to consider than for me; for in the easiest position He must give me His grace, and in the most difficult, His grace is sufficient. It matters little to my servant whether I send him to buy a few cash worth of things, or the most expensive articles. In either case he looks to me for the money and brings me his purchases. So, if God should place me in serious perplexity, must He not me much guidance; in positions of great difficulty, much grace; in circumstances of great pressure and trial, much strength? No fear that His resources will prove unequal to the emergency! And His resources are mine, for He is mine, and is with me and dwells inme." (p.162,63).

In Isaiah 40:31 the prophet gives the familiar promise,

"But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint."

The Hebrew word for "renew" is "chalaph". Ten times in the O.T it is translated "change" once as "sprout again". The idea of exchange is present. God calls us to exchange our weakness for His strength!

Father, we rejoice that when You redeemed us, You united us with Christ. Thank You that through Him we have all the resoures we need to walk in fellowship with You. Help us to wait upon You in full dependence, so that we can exchange our weakness for Your power. In Jesus' name, amen.

JBW

Aug. 10, '98

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