I Live My Life – Galatians Part 4

Scripture: Galatians 2 (Link)

19 For when I tried to keep the law, I realized I could never earn God’s approval. So I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ. 20 I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:19-20 NLT)

As I began reading Galatians chapter 2, it seemed as if Paul was being very egocentric. He writes the first half of the chapter about himself and his conflict with the Jewish conservative traditionalists and is very clear in his opinion that he is right and they are wrong! The truth is, however, that Paul’s ego (false self, old nature) has been crucified with Christ. His complete surrender to the will of God and his total dependence on Christ living in him (true self, new nature) makes his ego powerless to drive him to please others or even to please himself.

21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.  (Romans 7:21-23 NLT)

Friends, this is, for me, a declaration of hopeful faith: “I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me!” Actually, it seems as if I live much of my life in the tension between Romans 7:21-23 and Galatians 2:19-20! But I will not give in, I will not give out, and I will not give up! As Christ-in-me takes the place of Ego-in-me, the life I live will be his, not mine!

Prayer:

Father, There is such a mixture at the center of me. I am as committed and as submitted as I know how to be, yet each day, situations and complications show me I still have such a long way to go! I purpose to keep on until these words are true of me…

Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 MSG)  Amen.