For me to live is Christ. What does this mean? Paul does not say for me to live is Jesus, He says Christ which is not so much the incarnate God-man as the second person of the trinity and Lord of all. It is akin to the Old Testament use of Adoni (office) or Yahweh (person). For Paul to live is Christ is to declare the Lordship of Christ. That is His sovereignty over all thing including history. To publicly bear witness that every square inch of creation belongs to Christ and is under His rule. There is no institution, nor place nor thought that is not subject to the rule and rules of Christ. Contrary to the modern antinomian church to live is Christ is to affirm His law and our dire need for grace. Christ is not just the Lord of creation but also of our salvation, for He fulfilled the terms of the law for His elect in the atonement. For me to live is Christ declares that my life is bound to Christ and not of my own doing, no amount of works can earn what Christ has already purchased. To add works to is grace is to account that His grace is insufficient. TO not respond to grace with works according to the law is to deny Christ’s rule. All authority in Heaven and Earth has been given to Christ; authority over nature, ethics, redemption and judgement. For me to live is Christ is a statement of purpose. The reformers used the phrase Soli Deo Gloria to God alone be the glory; glory for creation, providence, redemption, law, judgement and even changing me from living for myself to living for Christ.
Amen!