I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5:24
Do you belong to Jesus? Are you living in the Son of God? Are you remaining in His love? When we choose to receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we belong to Him, we live in Him, and are *called* by Him to obediently follow His example found in Philippians 2:8 – He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Of course, our death on the cross isn’t on a physical cross like Jesus’ death was. However, we are called, just the same, to follow our Savior’s example here. God’s ways are always opposite of our human ways of being and thinking. Jesus, God on earth living as a human, didn’t live into His human passions and desires, but gave them up to be obedient to His Father, obedient to death – even death on a cross.
We are not *called* to simply coast through this life, chasing after our own selfish dreams, passions, and desires, while enjoying the comfort of our sins being forgiven, and enjoying the hope of living with God forever. No! God has so much more for us, His children.
Jesus *called* us to live an abundant life, which only comes when we willingly lay down our life, like He did. When we give up our passions and desires, there’s room for Jesus to fill us up with His passions and desires. This is when we see as God sees and we think as God thinks. Life becomes invigorating and we begin to actively pour out our life, showing others the way to enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ, helping those in need, giving up what we want for what God wants. Our focus becomes bringing God honor and glory and bringing as many people as we can into a relationship with God, adding fruit to His Kingdom! This adventurous way of living for God brings us a deep and fulfilling sense purpose that chasing our own dreams, passions, and desires never, ever could. When we give up our life, crucify our passions and desires, we enter into the abundantly blessed life that only obedience to God can bring.
Today’s Verses
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5:24
Scripture Inspired Prayer
Oh God, Your ways are so different than my ways. I am desperate for You to come and teach me Your ways of living. I want the abundant, adventurous life You have planned for me. So, I pray that You will come and replace my dreams, passions, and desires with Your dreams, passions, and desires. When I start slipping into my own way of living, come close and speak to my heart, remind me of what my true purpose on this earth is. Help me pour out my life as worship before You! Help me lead others into a relationship with You. I choose to lay my life down, as Jesus did, so I can participate with You in the abundant life You have planned for me today!
