Crucified

  "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

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

Help me step fully into the jaw-dropping reality this verse declares. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live. The old man that was bent by sin and bent on sin is dead. That man was hung on the cross with Jesus and now Christ Jesus lives in me. I have all of Jesus in me. All of me is in Jesus. There is no question whether I have enough of him. Perhaps the only question is does He have enough of me? But I know confidently that Christ lives in me. And He will never leave me!

This life I am now living inside of this body, I live by faith in the Son of God. That means all my trust is in Jesus. I place no trust in my flesh, my ability, or my wisdom. Instead, I offer all of that to my Lord by faith and allow Him to use everything I have and all that I am by living in me.

I believe that Jesus loves me. It is a belief without question, answered on the Cross when He gave his life in place of mine. There's nothing I can do to diminish Jesus' love for me, and frankly nothing I can do to make Him love me more. He loves me right now more than I ever could imagine. I know I'm not worthy of this kind of love, but He is the one who has made me worthy by taking my sin—all of it—upon Himself.

I know that when this life is over, I will stand humbly before my Creator, everything will be laid bare—all I've ever done, ever said, and even thought. And yet, I will be forgiven. Every sin wiped clean. I will enter the gates of Heaven ready to praise my God for eternity because He has set me free! I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me!

In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!

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