As I reflect on the Christian walk, I’m reminded of the story about the French composer Gounod and how his perspective on greatness shifted as he grew in his art. He once said to a young poet, “At your age, I used to say, ‘I.’ At twenty-five, I said, ‘I and Mozart.’ At forty, I said, ‘Mozart and I.’ Now, I simply say, ‘Mozart.’” This progression of learning to esteem the work of others over one’s own mirrors the life of a believer.
As we grow in faith, we move from a focus on self to a deepening acknowledgment of Christ as the center of all things.
Initially, our journey with Christ often begins with the urgent question, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). This is the cry of a heart burdened with the weight of sin, yearning for redemption. I remember the early days of my faith where I was consumed with this very question. Salvation felt like something I needed to earn or accomplish—something that depended entirely on my efforts. We all start here, don’t we? There’s a sense of personal responsibility, an “I” focus that asks, “What can I do to fix this?” And it makes sense because the natural reaction to guilt and brokenness is to try and remedy it ourselves. But the beauty of the gospel is that salvation isn’t about what we do—it’s about what Christ has already done. The answer to the question, “What must I do to be saved?” is simply to believe in Him and trust in His finished work.
But as we continue to walk in faith, we begin to understand that it’s not just about escaping judgment or receiving forgiveness; it’s about being united with Christ. Paul’s words in Philippians 3:9 stand out here: “That I may be found in Christ.” This is a profound shift from “What can I do?” to “How can I be in Christ?” Our identity begins to change as we realize that being found in Christ means we are clothed in His righteousness, not our own. It’s no longer about proving ourselves worthy but resting in His worthiness. Think about it—there’s a difference between trying to achieve something versus knowing you are already secure in Christ. It brings peace and confidence. The old need to strive fades away as we understand that God sees us through the lens of Christ’s perfection.
As we grow even further in grace, there comes a point where it becomes personal in a deeper way. Galatians 2:20 captures this beautifully when Paul declares, “Christ lives in me.” This isn’t just theoretical; it’s the heart of the Christian life. Christ’s life is not just a distant example we try to follow—He is actually living His life through us. It’s this divine partnership where our will is surrendered to His, and His power works through our weaknesses. The Christian life is no longer about what we do but what He does in and through us. I can think back to moments where I tried to handle things in my own strength—moments of frustration and burnout. But when I finally surrendered and let Christ take over, everything changed.
It wasn’t about me “doing better” or “trying harder”—it was about yielding to His life in me. That’s where true transformation happens.
Finally, we arrive at what I believe is the ultimate stage of Christian maturity: “Christ is all” (Colossians 3:11). This is the point where we realize that every aspect of our life should be centered on Him. Everything—our hopes, dreams, identity, and purpose—flows from Christ being the all-encompassing reality. There’s a sense of peace and joy that comes when Christ is truly all. The struggles to prove ourselves or to chase after the world’s standards fade away, and we rest in the knowledge that our lives are complete in Him. In Christ, there is no longer a need for validation from others, no need to measure up, because Christ is enough. He is our joy, our strength, our wisdom, and our peace.
The journey from “What must I do?” to “Christ is all” reflects a deepening dependence on God and a growing understanding of His sufficiency. As we mature in our faith, we shift from focusing on ourselves to focusing on Christ. This isn’t a one-time leap but a gradual surrender where we learn to let go of our self-reliance and trust more deeply in Him. Wherever you find yourself on this journey, know that God is faithful to complete the work He started in you. Each step is a part of the process—whether you are wrestling with your own efforts, learning to rest in Christ, or beginning to see Him as your all.
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