“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 will live by faith in the Son
of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (Galatians
2:20)
Hey
Gang, ”Being crucified with Christ tends to have about the same appeal in today’s
world as submitting to a “root canal” or “walking on hands and knees through
fire”. Yet, John the Baptist made it very clear that growth comes
when we become less and Christ becomes more in our lives.
In what
areas of your life can you hear the hammer and chisel working, chipping away at
those tough un-surrendered areas that tend to be continual stumbling blocks to
thwart growth?
Paul
provided solid counsel in this area when he wrote, “Among those who
belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly
responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good –
crucified. Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life
of the spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in or
heads, or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every
detail of our life.” (Galatians
5:24-25 The Message)
Being
crucified with Christ has no meaning until we understand what Paul was talking
about. Ruth Calkin in her book, “Tell Me Again, Lord, I Forget” wrote
“At first, Lord I asked you to take sides with me. With the
Psalmist I prayed, ‘the Lord is for me…maintain my rights, O Lord, “But
with all my pleading I lay drenched in darkness, until in utter confusion I
cried, Don’t take sides, Lord, just take over’, and suddenly the sun began
to shine.”
One day
Martin Luther answered a knock at his door. “Does Dr. Martin Luther
live here?” the man asked. “No”, Luther answered, “He died, Christ lives
here now.” To be “crucified” simply means to slide out from behind
the wheel and allow Jesus to drive.
Soooo,
my young friends, who is doing the driving in your life? What life
have you chosen? Be advised if you have chosen the “crucified life
for Christ” you will hear the sound of hammers and chisels forming you
into the image of His Son Jesus.
Blessings,
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