Under His Grace

Galatians 2:20

“For I have been crucified with Christ; and it is not 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 delivered Himself up for me.’”


Observation:
The mystery of the exchange that God made at the cross has been revealed by Paul in order to give us hope and direction as we fulfill our God given mission here on earth. This verse is particularly important when we struggle with sin in our post conversion days. When we receive Christ in our lives He changes our heart as He brings eternal meaning into it. But our sinful behavior does not go away. We receive salvation by faith alone and we stay saved by faith alone. Being saved is not a second chance to try to please God with works but a second chance to grow closer to God and to deal properly with our sin.
We were crucified with Christ—we died to sin. Now we live for God because Christ lives in us. The life we live in the flesh we live by faith in the Son of God. We are capable to do so because God’s love working in us. The key is relationship with God. It has always been, and always will be. It’s neither religious regimens, nor heartless traditions. It’s pure and sincere devotion to God who set us free form the slavery to sin.


Application:
I’m very tough on myself when it comes to sin. I have a tendency to beat myself up when I cannot measure up to high standards of sinless ness. I forget easily that I’m saved by grace and that I’m sanctified by grace. For some reason we continue believing that we earn God’s love because our behavior. We have a hard time receiving and enjoying His unconditional love. And that’s precisely the reason why we continue struggling with sin. Works will not remove our sin away, but the grace that flows as we have intimate communion with Jesus. The moment I rely on my performance I become more prone and vulnerable to sin.
As our world keeps turning around and our fast paced lives keep moving, it’s so easy to forget the blessing of grace and return to the curse of the law. We continue trying to please God with something we cannot deliver—sinless ness. The only way to avoid such distraction is to stay closer to Jesus’ heart. The more we grow in relationship with Him, the more covered by grace we will be.


PRAYER: Dear Jesus, please forgive me for returning to the curse of works. I cannot please you this way. Please allow me to return to you in the fields of grace. Let me be passionate about your presence and give me a new heart that will seek your face at all times. Please grant me your blessing of intimacy with you and let me camp closer to your heart. I enthrone you as the only King in my heart and I declare my life to be fully committed to love you always. AMEN!