Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Faith – Galatians 2:20 – Crucified With Christ – Growing As Disciples
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. Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
New Life
I never understand how this could be possible. You never know how what could be possible? I never knew how my old life could die and my new life could live. Let me tell you, I was one discouraged and defeated person. Why is that? I knew that my old life was supposed to have died. I knew my old life died and was crucified on the cross. My old life was supposed to be dead and gone and buried, never to live again. Sin and darkness and evil was to no longer have any place or power over me in my new life. That’s true. Yet, my old life did not want to stay dead. Desires that were typical of my old life seemed very much alive to me. The allure of sin still seemed quite powerful to me. I can’t tell you how many times I succumbed to thinking, saying or doing what was clearly not part of the new life I have in you. I can’t tell you how valiantly and unsuccessfully I fought against doing what was not pleasing to you. I felt like a dismal failure. I had no victory in my life. Theoretically, I was free to live the new life I had in you. Practically, I was living in discouragement and defeat. Yes, I know.
What has happened to you? I was so focused on being dead that I forgot to live. But, you changed all that for me. How so? You drew me to yourself. You lavished me with your love. You allowed me to taste of your kindness, and mercy. You showed me the joy of living in an intimate relationship with you. Yes, I did. Now, I understand that part of dying to my old life needed to include living the new life I have in you. It’s as if living in an intimate relationship with you keeps pushing my old life further away from me. Your word does say that I am to submit myself to you and resist evil and it will flee from me. That’s right. There seems to be a healthy rhythm to living the life you have called me to live. What’s that? Be dead to the world and be alive to you. Be alive to you and the world will stay dead to me. That’s right. That’s it exactly. Well, I am so thankful that I can live a completely new life in you. Living my new life with and for you fills me with incredible joy. It is now my over powering desire to do what is good and right and pleasing to you. That is very good.
Lord, thank you that my old life is dead and gone. It no longer lives. It was crucified and died with you on the cross. I have received your forgiveness and cleansing. You have given me a new life to live. Help me to fully live out my new life with and for you. Amen
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
Faith – Galatians 2-20 – Crucified With Christ – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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