Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
THEME OF THE DAY. FORMING A CROSS-SHAPED LIFE. Today’s scripture reveals one of the most important truths a Christian must know to walk with the Lord as He intends; full of joy, purpose, and making an impact for Him in our generation and spheres of influence. We may summarize this truth with the simple phrase “in union with Christ.” And it is a union in His crucifixion and resurrection. A thorough exposition of this truth is found in Roman 6. Please read it soon as it will thrill your soul and provide clear direction on how the Christian life is to be lived out of this union with Christ.
In today’s nugget, we want to consider our union with Christ in His crucifixion, though the union in His resurrection is implied and inseparable. Let’s call this “forming a cross-shaped life.” When we think of our Lord’s crucifixion and our union with Him, we cannot restrict the view and implications to just having our sins forgiven. It accomplishes so much more in the Christian life. Here are three applications in our lives “forming a cross-shaped life.”
First, on the cross of Christ, we see love and by our union with Him, we are enabled to love. The supreme message of Christianity is love; God’s love toward rebellious humans who deserve His wrath. But we must be careful here. We cannot “parse” God and say, “He is love” and ignore that He is holy, just, and will not condone or pass over sin. If we dismiss the wrath of God upon us, then we will not be able to fathom the depth of His love. We simply won’t fathom what His love did unless we see how wicked our sin and rebellion is to Him. And when we do? We become people shaped by the cross in His love and begin to yearn with His love for sinners to know this glorious God who redeems sinners.
Next, on the cross of Christ, we see the supreme example of self-denial and our union with Him enables us to practice this self-same virtue; self-denial. Jesus told us, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Bottom line friends, if we are not a self-denying people putting the interests of Christ and others far ahead of our own, we won’t know the joy-filled Christian life nor experience a cross-shaped life.
A third aspect of our union with Christ and forming a cross-shaped life is the barrier to know God is removed and we are enabled to pursue intimacy with Him – “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:24-25). In order to build and live a cross-shaped life, the cross must be embraced not only as God’s means of dealing with our sins, but also His extending an open door to pursue Him. The barrier to fulfill our created purpose is removed. Let this sink in, beloved, God has removed what keeps us from knowing Him, enjoying Him, loving Him, serving Him, and becoming like Him. The cross-shaped life is really about becoming a Christ-imaged life. As we behold Him, yes, even on the cross bearing our sins, a transformation occurs. We begin to long to be like Him and in that likeness willing to embrace our crosses in this life to become like Him in this life. And that ultimately defines a life formed by His cross and our union with Him.
PRAYER: “Father, help me to live not only near the cross of Your Son but to be changed by its implications.”
QUOTE: “The only way to live out the Christian life with joy and purpose is to remember we are “crucified” to self.”