September 6, 2016
It's a lot easier said than done. In fact, the reality might be that there's more saying than doing.
"I have been crucified with Christ; and 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." (Galatians 2.20)
There is a finality with crucifixion. The most horrible form of capital punishment ever devised, the executed criminal was dead without question. So, to say that "I have been crucified with Christ" means that I have completed died to myself. Problem is, at least for me, is that my old self seems to have been resuscitated. The life I live has a semblance of decency and Christ-centeredness, but there is much more of the old self active than I care to admit. My life appears to have a "Christ patch" over it rather than a Christ transplant within.
Christ really does live within each of us who have committed our lives to Him, and been born again. Still, there is a war within. Even Paul lamented that his old self sometimes triumphed over the inner Christ (Romans 7.19). Thus there is a need for daily surrender, vigilance, and battle. Christ within us will triumph, so much as we allow Him to do so.
There are choices to be made today. By default, our old self will assert itself. But, we CAN allow Christ within to live out His plans and desires. May we pause at this moment to deliberately concede our lifestyle preferences to His. It's a choice and decision we will never regret.
Steve
"I have been crucified with Christ; and 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." (Galatians 2.20)
There is a finality with crucifixion. The most horrible form of capital punishment ever devised, the executed criminal was dead without question. So, to say that "I have been crucified with Christ" means that I have completed died to myself. Problem is, at least for me, is that my old self seems to have been resuscitated. The life I live has a semblance of decency and Christ-centeredness, but there is much more of the old self active than I care to admit. My life appears to have a "Christ patch" over it rather than a Christ transplant within.
Christ really does live within each of us who have committed our lives to Him, and been born again. Still, there is a war within. Even Paul lamented that his old self sometimes triumphed over the inner Christ (Romans 7.19). Thus there is a need for daily surrender, vigilance, and battle. Christ within us will triumph, so much as we allow Him to do so.
There are choices to be made today. By default, our old self will assert itself. But, we CAN allow Christ within to live out His plans and desires. May we pause at this moment to deliberately concede our lifestyle preferences to His. It's a choice and decision we will never regret.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2016
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy
https://www.createspace.com/4500045
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy
https://www.createspace.com/4500045
posted by steve @ 8:54 AM
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