I made a bold statement yesterday from the pulpit. It went something like this. You and I, as Christians, are saved by God’s grace and not by anything good we have done. And because we are saved by grace, THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO TO MAINTAIN OUR SALVATION either. But, we all try. Don’t we? In doing so, we begin toward legalism and self-justification which is a trap and bondage. Even the great apostle Peter fell into that trap. Paul called him out and rescued him and Barnabas as well. What happened is that Peter started caring what other converted Jews were saying about his association with Gentile believers. He pulled back and separated himself from them. That was the old life and person he was, not the new one free in Christ to associate with any believer as a brother regardless of background and upbringing. Its funny, in many ways we carry around a corpse that keeps coming to life. Its the old man that remains in me, that I need to nail up and let bleed and die. Then, the new man can really walk in freedom. We must reckon him to be dead daily.
But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Far from it! For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a wrongdoer. For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live for God. 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 2:18-20 NASB
How does the old me, the old man, the one of sin and bondage try to live again in me? How can I crucify him today?
God, as this day begins- I want to be the new man in Christ. The one who walks in power, love, and self-control. That man, that me, gives himself today wholly to the control of the Holy Spirit. Move in me, through me, and extend love to all I meet. I am pausing to pray for that young boy Tanner. Will you rescue him from what seems to be certain death at such an early age? Thank you for healing Zane Jr.!
