DAY #278: Galatians 2:11-3:5

In Galatians 2:20, Paul claimed he had been “crucified,” but he was still alive. Paul had died with Christ, but it was his “old self” that had died: I myself no longer live. The self-centered, Jewish Pharisee, Christian-persecuting, law-abiding, violent, and evil Paul “no longer” lived. That person’s sinful life had been crucified with Christ on the cross. This is the “I” of the flesh, of sinful human desires, of works and pride. Paul was released, not only from the tyranny of the Mosaic law, but also from the tyranny of self.

Instead, Paul was a “new person” (2 Corinthians 5:17) because, he explained, Christ lives in me. In other words, Paul had turned over his life to Christ. Each of the phrases is a crucial aspect of the sequence of salvation: We relinquish our old life and turn to Christ for his life. The self-centered self now becomes the Christ-centered self.

It is as if Paul was saying, “My old life, my old goals and plans, even old relationships were nailed to the cross with Christ. Now I have a new life because Christ came in and filled the empty spaces all those old pursuits could not fill. Now he lives in me and is the focus of my life.”

To accomplish this, there must be a radical cleansing of our old selfish nature. But there must also be a turning to the empowering of Christ. Just as in repentance we turn away from sin and toward Christ, we must turn from the self in the flesh to the self hidden in Christ.

Paul no longer focused his life on trying to please God by obeying laws; instead, with Christ in him, I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Believers live in their bodies that are prone to sin while they remain on earth. But with Christ in charge, they are new creations, living life by faith. This faith is an attitude, a lifestyle.

That was the ultimate picture of God’s love and grace for sinful humanity. The basis of Christianity is God’s grace and Christ’s death for sin. Without these there is no faith, no gospel, and no hope of salvation.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what i have read today?)

While away this past weekend on study leave, God was constantly reminding me of the power of a life that is sold out to the things of God. There is excitement for the things of God. There is expectation of the work of God. there is a desire to be in God's word and a desire to share what God is doing with others.

What happens to that "new life" for believers? It seems to dissipate fairly quickly and pretty soon, our faith becomes routine and drudgery and the same old, same old sinks into our lives.

How do we get back that fire and enthusiasm for the things of God? (BTW, you remember that the word enthusiasm comes for two Greek words- en theos - which means, in God. When we are in God's will and living by God's principles, there is a God given enthusiasm that radiates in our lives.

We get that fire back when we go and meet with the source of life, the source of power and strength and enthusiasm. We get the fire back when we meet with God and enter into His presence. Will you do that today? Will you confess any sin that is in your life and go and meet with the living God?