Verse of the Day 6-26-22

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Paul describes his relationship to Christ in terms of a deeply personal attachment to and reliance on his Lord. Those of us who have true faith in Christ should consider ourselves to be united with him in such way that we relate to and identify with Jesus in both his death and his resurrection. There are three big take aways that come from this one verse.

1. In a sense, all of us have put our faith and trust in Christ have been crucified with Christ on the cross. Our old sinful, rebellious way of life has been put to death with Jesus as he took our sin on himself and paid its full penalty through his own death. In addition, those of us who have put our faith and trust in Christ have been freed from the law’s requirement of having to rely on imperfect sacrifices as a way to receive forgiveness and maintain a relationship with God. Christ’s perfect and sinless life provided the complete sacrifice for sins once and for all. Those who accept the forgiveness provided by that sacrifice receive a new life by faith in Christ, which allows them to fulfill God’s highest purpose for their lives. Because of spiritual salvation and a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, sin no longer has control over them.
2. We who have been crucified with Christ now live with the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. This means that Christ and his strength live within us through the guiding presence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus has become the source and focus of our lives; he is the center of all our thoughts, words and actions. Our primary aim is to fulfill his purposes and honor him in all we do.
3. Our opportunity to relate to and share in Christ’s death and resurrection is a gracious gift of God, and it becomes activated through faith in Christ. That faith is not just an intellectual belief, but an active trust that surrenders the leadership of one’s life to the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us. Living by faith in Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit is also referred to as living by the Spirit.

Today’s Bible Readings:

2 Kings 9:14-10:31, Acts 17, Psalm 144:1-15 and Proverbs 17:27-28