I No Longer Live
I am doing an intensive study of Galatians this week. Today we discussed the overview of the book. This verse just hits me every time I read it:
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. (Galatians 2:20 | ESV)
If I am truly crucified, I am dead. Christ lives in me. I no longer live. I have no “rights”. I don’t get to demand anything. Dead people have no rights.
Regarding my grief….if I have been crucified with Christ…
- I don’t get to demand to know why.
- I don’t have the right to have vengeance or justice.
- I don’t have right to have others comfort me or understand my pain.
- My life and grief is no longer about me; it is Christ who lives in me, so my life is about Him.
- I don’t get to be the center of attention – because Christ is the center of my life.
- My life is about bringing glory to God and sharing the gospel of grace.
- My life must be about sharing the grace I have received with those in this world who so desperately need it.
- I have been forgiven much and must forgive much.
- I must earnestly contend for the gospel of Jesus Christ rather than contend for my version of justice or fairness, or what I think my life should be.
I’m not fully there yet. But I am asking the Holy Spirit to work in and through me.
Bible study, Christianity, Galatians, GRACE
granonine
Years ago I heard a preacher say that if I am crucified with Christ, I am dead to self and sin; therefore, I cannot be hurt, because you can’t hurt a dead person. I can no longer go around be offended all the time, because I’m dead.
Never forgot that. Powerful.
KathleenBDuncan
Taking offense is a choice. We can choose to offended or not.