I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. – Galatians 2:20
It is a sad thing when a person acts one way when they are around you, and another when others are with them. The apostles Peter and Paul had a confrontation over a similar situation in their day. Peter was eating with the Gentiles until the Jewish Christians came from Jerusalem. He then withdrew from the Gentiles for fear of the Jews and the rabbinic law that prohibited eating with Gentiles. When Paul learned that Peter pulled away from the Gentiles, he rebuked Peter for separating himself from them (Galatians 2:11-16).
The truth of the Gospel did not erase the observance of keeping the commandments. In fact, Jesus expanded on them (Matthew 5:21-48). Jesus came not “to abolish the Law or the Prophets… but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17). But Christ did challenge manmade laws, and the Gospel prohibits any distinction between Jew and Gentile. Jesus’ death and resurrection, suffering the consequences of sin for all people, delivers both through their faith in Christ.
Faith in Christ involves death to the old self, being “crucified with Christ,” as well as transformation into new life because Christ now lives in you (Galatians 2:20, Colossians 3:9-10). The born-again believer is Christ-centered, motivated, and guided by His sacrificial love, and living under His grace which fulfills the law.
It is faith in Christ alone that saves. Personal trust that Jesus the Lamb secured your salvation leads you to the commitment to submit to Him as Lord. Let Him shine through you today as a light in the culture, and let others see the hope in you. Pray for those in government who are committed to the Lord, that they may shine the light of His truth on those with whom they serve.
Today’s Verse: Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Romans 6:5-11
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
