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

I almost didn’t write on this verse because it is so famous, but it is vitally important. Any Christian who allows the truth of this verse to sink into their heart and mind will discover resources for life that they couldn’t have imagined otherwise. If we insist on keeping our old self on life support, we won’t enjoy the benefits of life in Christ. The flesh is terrified of death. However, the flesh won’t make it into heaven, so why listen to it? The devil doesn’t want us to know how much better life in Christ is than merely physical life, so we have to submit to God and stand firm against the devil. (James 4:7) This verse is not at all a call to suicide; our physical lives and the bodies we inhabit are entrusted to us by God, and must be used accordingly. However, it is a call to live on a much higher level than the animal one, for lack of a better term. People today are big on “animal instincts,” not realizing that they are rejecting their greatest potential inheritance. It is only when we realize that we are, for a brief time, stewards of our bodies, but we ourselves are far more, that we start to live on the higher level that Christ died to grant us entry to. This is not a legalistic system of rules; the whole letter to the Galatians was written to refute that idea. However, giving the flesh priority in our thoughts and actions cuts us off from the benefits of life in the Spirit, which is to say, life in Christ. Each of us needs to see through the deceptions of the devil and choose to follow Christ in total commitment.

This of course is how I need to live myself, even as I am seeking to lead others to live this way. Salvation by grace through faith is indeed glorious and instantaneous, (Ephesians 2:8-9) but as long as we are in these bodies, it is also an ongoing process. The habits of a lifetime don’t die easily! I am at times painfully aware of my own weaknesses, which should give me understanding and compassion toward those I work with. Every one of us is in need of God’s grace, but it is indeed sufficient for us all. (2 Corinthians 12:9) My job is in helping people understand that they need it, and that it is truly available. To the human mind, it seems too good to be true!

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the privilege of communicating Your Gospel. Help me do that clearly, without apology, in all humility and in the power of Your Holy Spirit, so that many, many indeed may be set free from the chains that bind them, to walk in the glorious life and liberty of Christ, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!