LEARNING DAILY

Galatians 2:20, 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 His life for me.

This is Paul’s writing about what happens to the person who asks Jesus to save and change them! When a person does this, in faith, from their heart, it is as if the person is crucified with Him. Then He begins to live in that person. The notes in the David Jeremiah Study Bible writes this, “Being crucified with Christ has both a legal and a relational component. Legally, God looks at us as if we had died with Christ; we are no longer condemned for our sins because that price has been paid. Relationally, we share in Christ’s sufferings and have died to our old way of living; He now indwells us through the Holy Spirit, empowering us to live a life of obedience (Romans 6:6; 2 Corinthians 5:15).”

For those of us who are doing all we can to walk daily on a narrow way towards eternity in God’s kingdom, this is an important statement because we know God’s purpose is to replace or duplicate Jesus Christ in each of our once sinful lives. In other words, Believers accept the salvation Jesus offers through His death and resurrection by faith; Believers trust He paid for their personal sins. Grasp this next statement: Paul writes that Believers still live in their flesh but are no longer directed by it; they are directed by their faith in Jesus Christ.

Do not read further until you go back and read the last part of this verse. “… I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave His life for me”. God’s love for you motivated Him to send His son to deal effectively and finally with your life of self-centeredness, ego, and pride. The moment you asked Him to save and change you, you are to say no to the old self that desires only to cause problems. Do you find yourself continually stumbling on the narrow way, giving in to worldly and fleshly desires? Those desires continue to try to pull you into living the life you lived before you were saved. Remember the narrow way is not an easy way; Jesus said it would be a difficult one. Yet, because He lives in you, he gives you the power to say no to those things of the world and the flesh and the pride of life. That no longer is your identity. As you are saved, your new identity is with Jesus Christ in His crucifixion, burial, and resurrection! That comes from God’s Word to us. Believe it and stand on it.

That being written, you know that the process of being made ready for heaven while walking on the narrow way is not an easy process. It is so easy to write about taking a stand. However, too often Believers (and I have all these fingers on my hand pointing back at me), have too many excuses, too many crutches to lean on that support ego, pride, and reasons to cover up defects in our lives. Be careful about this. Pastor Newton made a statement last weekend that fits here. He stated, “God does not need my money and He does not even need me, but He chose me (each of you)”. It was His love for us that He provided a way to once again be a part of His family. Therefore, He comes to live in us when He saves us, committed to make us into the image of His Son. So, Believers are to be different, committed to following Him, in faith, walking the narrow way as best we can and in accordance with His Word. The greatest need a Believer has is Jesus Christ. He knows us intimately, even the numbers of hair on our head. He knows what we need, and he alone can do in us what we cannot do. He gives us the power and the ability to follow Him as He commands. He is continually working within each Believer because He loves us, and this is pleasing to the Father in heaven.  May I add that Jesus loves each of us too much to let us continue to live our lives contrary to His desires and His Word. He will never be done changing and shaping us into His likeness until that day we see Him face to face. In that day, we shall be like Him and see Him as He truly is (1 Corinthians 13:12)!