Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
Do you ever feel trapped? Like you’re living by rules instead of a relationship? Our Verse of the Day really helps with this today.
It's Galatians chapter 2, verse 20. "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Moving From Legalism to Relationship
The context here in Galatians is they had actually witnessed the Lord Jesus Christ being crucified, and then they were falling back into keeping their relationship with God intact by keeping rules. A word that we like to use in Christian circles is legalism. But legalism—rule keeping—cannot ultimately restrain and keep you from sinning. So, Paul addresses the Galatians in that particular context.
In Galatians chapter 2, verse 20, there are basically two grace realities that help us live powerfully for Jesus.
Grace Reality #1: Your Old Self Is Dead
Number one, your old self is dead. It says it right there in the Bible: "My old self has been crucified with Christ." You know, this is hard to understand because we weren't there 2,000 years ago, but Jesus was. He was there. And He basically says, our spiritual old self was crucified with Christ. You say, what's the old self? That's the old egotistical self that says, I can do moral living and make me right with God.
Paul says that's the part—the old sinful self—that has been crucified 2,000 years ago. It's an incredible reality that Jesus Christ did for us. That old egotistical self, that old self that says I can be right with God on my own—morality is gone, is dead.
Grace Reality #2: New Life in Jesus
Now there's this new reality. That's number two. We now have new life in Jesus. The old is gone. Now we have this arrival of a received identity that Christ purchased for us. It says it right there in the verse: "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me."
Let me ask you a question. What is a dead man in need of most? He needs life. Right here in this verse it says, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me."
The Word says, "He gave Himself for me." It means that the blood of Jesus Christ and what Christ did for you and for me is continually lasting today and forever. That is amazing and incredible love. You're not a self-improvement project. We're not a moral project trying to fix ourselves. Jesus Christ has already done that for us.
What Do We Do with This Passage?
What do we do with this passage? Number one, remember that rule keeping without Jesus can't keep you from sinning. One theologian said this: "Legalism cannot restrain the flesh." You can wear a certain type of clothing. You cannot go certain places. But if you really want to sin, you will do it. The rules won't keep you from sinning. But if we really ultimately love Christ, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. The grace of God empowers you and me not to sin.
When You Fail, Look to Christ
Number two, when you fail, don't punish yourself. Don't punish yourself. Look to the One who loved you and gave Himself for you. The blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin. Not some things but a few things—but all of it. Jesus Christ loved you and me. That old self has been put away. Christ has paid for it. We now have this new life in Christ.
Jesus Christ gave Himself for us, so let's make sure that we give ourselves to Him.
