What Price?

“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 live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Gal. 2:20).  How does that compute in your spirit this day?

Hey Gang:  Being crucified with Christ tends to have about the same appeal in today’s world as getting 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.

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 that 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 our heads, or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our life” (Gal. 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 he 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.

So, 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,

Gramps