It is literally true and profoundly important

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Salvation past, present, and future”

Our Bible verse for today: “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 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “It is literally true and profoundly important”

The language Paul uses in Galatians 2:20 is more than just symbolic, it is literally true. It is also profoundly important. When he writes, “I have been crucified with Christ …” It is literally true in a spiritual sense. On the cross Jesus was crucified for your sins and mine. It was your sin being nailed to that cross. In that sense, it was you being crucified. Likewise, when he writes, “and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me …” that is also literally true. By means of His Spirit living in your heart, Christ lives in you (1 Corinthians 6:19).

The name “Christian” means “like Christ.” When you take the name of Christian you are claiming to be like Christ. However, becoming more and more like Christ is a transformation that occurs over time. At the time of your conversion, you received the life of Jesus in you but the likeness wasn’t there yet.

Instead, at that time, sin was still very much present in your life. The sins were forgiven but the residual effects of the sin were still there, as were the habits of sin. At that time sin still had power over you – strong power. In most cases, breaking free from the bonds of those sinful habits occurs progressively over time as we train ourselves to live differently.

This present time of salvation – living as a saved person – is the time during which you move further and further away from who you were and closer and closer to who God wants you to be (more like Christ). This requires daily surrender to Jesus and the working of the Holy Spirit in your life. It is an intentional decision on your part to submit to Jesus and to allow the Holy Spirit to have His way in your life. This is what Paul meant when he wrote, “The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” It’s about faith in Jesus and continuous surrender to Him as you subordinate your life for His and allow Him to live His life through you.

It is literally true – Christ lives in you and He wants to live through you. I encourage you to surrender more fully to Him today.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

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