Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
This is truly one of my favorite verses not only because of what it represents and means to me but because we have sat under a wonderful man of God for over the past 15 or more years who quoted this scripture absolutely every time he baptized anyone. Our beloved pastor has now retired; however, every time I hear or read this scripture I can hear his voice in my head. He will always be dear to our hearts not only for his love but his strong conviction to the Truth of God's Word. This scripture is a beautiful picture of what happens to us when we surrender to our Lord and Savior and commit ourselves to Him. The old life is gone and replaced with a life of faith that can only be lived through the power of the Holy Spirit that is living inside of us. Baptism is a witness to others of what is already going on in your heart.
Paul was possibly alluding to his own conversion when he said, "I have been crucified with Christ." Obviously, he hadn't been literally crucified as our Lord but he told the Romans that his old nature had died or "been crucified". He was identifying with Christ figuratively and trying to relate that his sin had been done away with and he was now a new person. The act of baptism paints a beautiful picture of dying to sin and our old selfish ways. We must die to self in order to be able to make room for Christ to dwell within us. We must surrender our will for His will. To be totally committed to Christ, we must be sold out to His purposes and His ways, allowing Him to direct and guide us in all areas of our lives.
This life of commitment isn't easy and won't happen unless you are intentional and purposeful in living it out. It will be a life of struggle as it will take great faith to live according to God's Word and take a stand for what you believe. There will be friends and family who will look at your commitment as strange because they won't understand but I know through perseverance and determination that God will give you all that you will need to continue on. You will be able to experience Him working in and through you every step of the way. Dear friend, the blessings will far outweigh the pain and suffering this life entails, I know as I've walked in these shoes and I've seen God's faithfulness in protecting and directing His own on my faith journey.
Paul's transformed life was evident to all who believed and he was eager for others to come to experience it as well. He wanted them to know that the Christ who gave His all for him was now living within Him guiding and directing all of His ways. His commitment never wavered or declined but was boldly on display until God took him home.
What does your commitment to Christ look like?
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Personalize this prayer.
Dear Lord,
If I have been crucified with Christ it appears that my commitment has been lacking. My selfish nature keeps rearing it's ugly head and I can't seem to turn it all over to Jesus. Forgive me, I want too but my "wanter" seems to fail me! Today, I ask that Your Holy Spirit give me the strength and will to surrender absolutely every area of my life to Jesus Christ, my hurts, my disappointments, and even my failures. I want to be like Paul where I can say that I no longer live but that Christ lives within me. I want You to guide and direct every word that comes out of my mouth, every move that I make and every action I take. I long for others to be able to see You in the midst of all I'm doing and who I am. Please do a mighty work in me. Transform me, mold me, and make me according to Your will. I love and adore You and it pains me to be a disappointment to You. I surrender my life at this moment and ask that You walk with me daily and pour into me anything You desire. Keep after me and send others to me who can speak into my life with encouragement and a holy boldness like Paul. Thank You for what I know You will do because I'm earnestly seeking all of who You are!
In Jesus Name,
Amen
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