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. THE CRUCIFIED AND RISEN WITH CHRIST LIFE. Today’s scripture is simply amazing, awe-producing, beyond full comprehension, and when taught its application by the Spirit of God, the Christian life becomes radically “Biblical” in our daily lives. As we ponder, pray over, and grasp what the Apostle Paul is saying is his life, and to be the life of every Christian, it is no wonder he would proclaim from a prison cell, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
However, today’s scripture is one of those, “Oh, yeah, I know that” type of verses. Many Christians may quote Galatians 2:20 with ease having put it to memory at a time in their walk with the Lord. But quoting a verse with ease isn’t the same as living the verse. And this verse provides for us one of the most important and practical truths about living the Christian life. Consider with me three things true of us because we have died, risen, and live in Christ. The Creator-Redeemer has taken up residence in our very beings to renew our minds, enflame our hearts, and empower our wills to walk a life worthy of Him and His Gospel and that in three directions.
First, because we have died and been raised with Christ, there is no temptation to sin we cannot defeat. His power is not just to remove us from the guilt of sin, but also the power of sin. The Apostle Paul wrote, “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but grace” (Romans 6:11,14). Friends, our union in Christ means we don’t have to give into temptation. His power in us is overcoming power; overcoming power to overcome sin.
Next, because we have died and been raised with Christ, there is no command we cannot obey. God would never give us a command and then not provide the power to obey the command. Our disobedience to any command is not because of inability, but our unwillingness. For instance when we are sinned against, God commands us to forgive, but too often we resist saying, “I can’t forgive. I have been hurt too bad.” No, it isn’t “we can’t”, it is “we won’t” for the Bible still says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
Finally, because we have died and been raised with Christ, there is no circumstance or situation we cannot rejoice, even spiritually prosper, in – “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4). We are also told, “all things work for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28). And the only people capable of loving God are those in union with the God who is love. Such power is available to not only overcome sin, obey all commands, but to endure all trials and testing with joy.
The crucified and risen with Christ life is far more than being saved. It is the means to the power to live the radically “Biblical” Christian life.
PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for putting me in Your Son that I may live my life in and through Him”
QUOTE: “Stop, pause, and think how radical it is to be a Christian; Christ in us, the hope of glory”