The Crucified Life

As believers, we must come to terms with the fact that the resurrection power of Christ does not eliminate our trials pain or persecution, but allows us to triumph over them.
 
Consider the Apostle Paul’s crucified life — it was unwavering in spite of his trials. Regarding his relationship to Christ he wrote, “My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death,” (Philippians 3:10 CSB) and “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 CSB).
How does such a crucified life equate for us?  For Paul it was this: “We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so the life of Jesus may also be displayed in our body. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that Jesus’ life may also be displayed in our mortal flesh.” (2 Corinthians 4:10 CSB)  
In identifying himself with Jesus in this ultimate way, Paul was identifying the deepest desire and number one choice of his renewed will — to choose daily to die to the self-life and live wholly for Jesus Christ through His power — no matter the cost. 

​It’s a choice we all make daily as believers, because upon each day’s rising, heaven is witness to whatever power we allow to let reign in our lives. Will we continue to rely on our own strength, or on the resurrection power of Jesus Christ?

by Toni Babcock
​Minnesota, USA -  info@grace-lines.net