Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now life in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me~ Galatians 2:20

Paul is not speaking of his literal crucifixion with Christ, but that he has put to death the law, the world and sin. When one dies, when our Lord died, all the surrounding objects of the world ceased to be. He did not see, or hear them, and it was as though they were not. Paul is speaking in this voice of shutting out the world in pride, in the lordship of worldly evil, and hateful passions. Paul identified himself with Christ, rather than the world, because of his intimate relationship. This relationship made him aware that he might suffer for it through contempt. Yet, he says, he lives. He is not dead to the spiritual appeals from God. He is not dead to that which calls our minds to view the eternal. The Gospel is not a call to do nothing, to stifle or paralyze people. The Gospel is to live a better life than before, it is to use our gifts and talents with great energy, to the cause of the Redeemer, Jesus Christ. True faith in Christ, true religion you might say, does not make one lazy, but engaged in doing good. But this is not by his own power. Christ lives in him, and is his source for all the life he had. He still lives in the flesh, he is still surrounded by the cares of the world, but his principles are now derived from the Lord Jesus. He lives by faith now, in Christ Jesus.

Devotion by Pastor Julia