Message

What is the "Exchanged Life"?

The Origin

"Exchanged Life" is a term coined by Howard Taylor to describe the life changing realization that occurred in the life of his father, famed missionary to China, Hudson Taylor. Hudson was instrumental in establishing the China Inland Mission. His years of toil and hard work for the Lord in the mission field yielded many saved Chinese. Ironically, this work revealed life to so many, also sapped the life and energy from the man who was behind it.

Hudson Taylor strove to do his best for the Lord he was serving. His greatest desire was to be an imitator of Christ. To achieve his goal, he did what seemed more fruitful: he studied the Bible more fervently, prayed continually and fasted more often. He was so engrossed in his effort that his life became an endless effort to please God rather than to know Him.

In a moment of divine insight, Hudson Taylor suddenly understood the Truth about his relationship with God. Jesus said, "I am the vine, you are the branches." (John 15:5, NJKV). He realized that the vine is not merely the root that provides nourishment to the branches, but is itself the whole plant - root, branches and leaves. Jesus is not merely our provider, but is a part of all who have called on His name. Fruitful labor was far more dependent upon an ever-deepening fellowship with Jesus than upon works designed to please Him. Consider Paul's statement: "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 up for me." (Gal. 2:20, NJKV)

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