Living For Jesus

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me… —Galatians 2:20

 “No one can do this for me, I must do it myself. God may bring me up to this point three hundred and sixty-five times a year, but He cannot push me through it. The one point to decide is— will I give up? Will I surrender to Jesus Christ, placing no conditions whatsoever as to how the brokenness will come? I must be broken from my own understanding of myself. When I reach that point, immediately the reality of the supernatural identification with Jesus Christ takes place. And the witness of the Spirit of God is unmistakable— “I have been crucified with Christ….”  The passion of Christianity comes from deliberately signing away my own rights and becoming a bondservant of Jesus Christ. Until I do that, I will not begin to be a saint. Will we allow Him to help Himself to us, or are we more concerned with our own ideas of what we are going to be?” - My Utmost For His Highest

In Galatians 2:20, Paul is referring to his “new” life.  His new, supernatural existence.  Everything that I am is totally dependent upon Jesus and the Spirit. Jesus saved me, the Spirit sanctifies me.  Pretty simple.  But why is it so hard to live?  Instead, we look at our own cross, sing about it, listen to sermons about it, make references to it, but will not bend over and pick it up.  Instead, we are content with things the way they are.  It’s a silent struggle – hidden from the view of other Christians – at least we think it is.  

We are content with thinking that we are only human, flawed, but forgiven.  Well, we are human, we are flawed, and we are forgiven.  But we are also children of Jehovah God.  Adopted through the blood of Jesus and His resurrection.  Sealed with the Spirit.  Given access to the very presence of God the Father through Jesus.  Christian! don’t be content with mediocrity.  

Am I trying to make you feel guilty? No … all of us are guilty … that is a fact.  I want to remind you of your new life in Christ and your calling from God to abandon the desires of the flesh and pursue the way of the Cross. Joining Jesus in saying, "Not my will but Your will be done."  God has intended much more in your new life than you are experiencing, but you must be willing to put the world and what it has to offer (wood, hay and stubble) behind you and follow Jesus.

Listen, all of us struggle with this. But we all need to be reminded of who we are in Christ and our high calling to be like Him, through Him, often.  

"I, [Your Name], have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I, [Your Name], who lives, but Christ lives in me…" —Galatians 2:20

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone