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. Galatians 2:20
False teaching, hypocrisy, racism….these are the tough issues Paul is addressing in Galatians 2 when he boldly proclaims that his life in the flesh is not his own, but belongs to Christ. This should be duly noted by all of us.
We are living in confusing times. We still have false teaching, hypocrisy, and racism, but we can add to that mass confusions about marriage, sexuality, and gender. In such times, I feel blessed that I don’t have to be confused; that I have a standard to look to in Christ Jesus to test my conformity to my fleshly desires. Like Paul, I’ve decided that my life is not my own, so even in the midst of intense sinful desires, I can recognize those feelings as real yet look to Christ to train my flesh on how to think and respond. It’s not always comfortable. It’s the total opposite of what my flesh is telling me to do — going against what I want to do — but I find confidence in knowing it’s right reguardless of how my mind and body feels about it. Maybe there’s confusion in the underlying cause of the feelings themselves but not in the path I should stand for and push forward to choose. Christ has decided that for me, and my crucifixion with Him makes that decision final within me.
As I tarry through my days with some of the temptations that become so strong they bring me to tears as I fight to resist, I look to that spiritual side that lives by faith in the Son of God. He loved me. He gave Himself for me. I give myself for Him.
Prayer:
The Father of truth, hope, and love; how You bless me in providing a sure path in Christ. When I look at the world around me and even within myself, I can become confused of what is right and wrong. But, confusion is diminished whenever I submit myself to a life by faith in Your Son. My life is not perfect by any means, yet I am being perfected day by day as I train my mind and body to conform to Christ’s image. Forgive me where my sinful desires become so great that I give in. I may not always understand why I struggle with certain temptations, but I can certainly know which way leads to my eternal deliverance as Christ lives in me. He loved me and gave Himself for me. I love Him and give myself for Him. Amen.
Truth in love,
Heather
Truth in Love 