FRIDAY February 5, 2021

Living by Faith in Christ

“…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 for me.”
Galatians 2:20

Our love for Christ has to be number one in our lives––nothing else. Who lives in your life? Is it Christ? Paul said we are crucified with Christ! How do you live your life? Are you ruled by the flesh or the Spirit? The flesh is so powerful, but it should not be ruling over our lives. The Spirit needs to have rule as we live by faith “in Christ.” Paul explained this so well:

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:1-2).

My wife has learned the crucified life––she is Christ-like. As a husband, I have no complaints. She has loved our children, grandchildren, and our daughters-in-law. It can be difficult to love family members at times, but when you live the crucified life, you will see Christ in others. You know Christ is at work in their lives as He has promised to work in yours: …being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ… (Philippians 1:6).

Corrie ten Boom knew God intimately. She lived the crucified life in the prison camps of Germany. Her life impressed people as they could see she was Christ-like. Corrie wrote many books about her experiences. They are very convicting to read. Are you willing to live by faith, like her, in obedience and death to self? That is the crucified life.

God loves you and so you love Him. He gave Himself on the Cross for you, and so you need to give yourself to Him. If you want to be used by God more than ever this year, then learn to live the crucified life. As you live by faith, people will see the incredible changes and be drawn to Christ to accept the Gospel. So what needs to be crucified in your life today?

Although the threads of my life have often seemed knotted, I know, by faith, that on the other side of the embroidery there is a crown.
~Corrie ten Boom~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!