…in order to truly live, one first must die…
“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
Paul here lays down a theological principle that is in direct contrast to a person attempting to have a God-righteousness by doing something (on one hand) or avoiding something (on the other hand). The fact that Paul has been crucified with Christ and that he no longer lives–but rather Christ in Him–means to the Galatian churches that it is mutually exclusive to add anything to a process of death that brings life since death has already taken place. In other words, if the doing or avoiding something according to the law didn’t bring life, then they should thus remember that their new life in Christ was not brought by their doing or not doing things according to the law, but rather they received justification with God by grace through faith. Therefore, Paul’s death was a death to the law (doing or avoiding something) that these Judaizers (false teachers who add works–such as requiring circumcision–to the gospel) are trying to bring back into the Galatian church communities, and it is thus to be rejected since they are dead to it–being that they are in Christ.
Could there be a more relevant message for our culture today? Consider the magnitude of such a theological principle. If one is still living to oneself, then the logical conclusion is that one is not truly living–according to the premise above. If a person is not associated with Christ, then the expectation of that person is only self-love. In other words, if there is a breathing human who has not accepted the free gift of the gospel of Jesus Christ, then that person will only live to please himself.
What are the results of such a person? Simply survey our culture over the last two weeks…it’s abundantly clear…evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
What is a Christian to do? Simple.
I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
2 Timothy 4:1-2
Where does one begin? Simple.
- The gospel message is to be preached first to yourself, everyday. John Piper rightly said, “…the extent to which I am not amazed daily at my salvation, Noel (his wife) will suffer…” That’s it. How do we affect a culture? We begin by letting the mirror of God’s Word invade the areas of our life that need confession, repentance, and guidance that are revealed to not be reflecting the new life in Christ. Thus, as we continue to struggle well in this daily tension of walking according to the Spirit (depending upon His power in our life that is free from seeking righteousness according to works), we step up to the podiums that God has provided for us to preach the gospel message…
Where’s your microphone? Simple.
- You may not be a preacher who comes to a pulpit each week (and most Christians are not), but God has given you many, many, many other pulpits to preach through your example and words the life changing message of the good news of Jesus Christ…consider your: spouse…work…children…family…friends…neighbors…etc. etc.
What’s the result? Simple.
- Revival. A nation whose people individually seek daily communion with God through His Word and prayer, who gather with the saints for equipping and edification, who confess their sin to God and seek true repentance (not just freedom from consequences), who walk according to the Spirit and not according to the deeds of the flesh (seeking righteousness through doing or not doing things), and who daily reflect upon the work of God upon their behalf through His justifying them by grace through faith, will find that they are part of a revolution of epic proportions. Then, they take this message to all their spheres of influence…
What is God doing in the process? Simple.
- He’s sanctifying His vessels for honorable use, and He is regenerating the souls of those who have not heard the saving message of a God who sent His Son to die in their place by paying the penalty for their sins…
O, the glories of the gospel of Jesus Christ–that God has made a way! He has made a way–it’s beyond our comprehension! Glory!
And the promise? Simple.
- Suffering now…
- Rewards later…
Yes, it’s your best life later–not your best life now! That’s the greatest message of hope for all mankind!
What’s the problem? Simple.
- There is an enemy–the devil–who is the tormentor at every stage of the individual’s desire for God, as well as a nation’s desire for God. He will use any person, any means, any system, any anything to bring corruption, devastation, and success in moral self-righteousness.
While this all may be simple, it is nonetheless impossible apart from the work of Christ through the Holy Spirit–the Divine nature in the soul of man–working in and through you. So, then we must–we simply must–be individuals willing to daily commune with the Father, and also be willing to take the good news message to the our spheres of influence, so that we will watch God do the impossible through broken vessels in a broken world.
So let it be…Amen.
— July 15, 2016