Crucified #2

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; 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 up for me. Galatians 2:20 (NASB)

You may be thinking,  “this is just a repeat of last week,” but please read on.  This devotional challenge is probably more for me than for anyone else, but I suspect you too will hear from the Holy Spirit regarding the following entry. I would highly encourage you to memorize and meditate on the above verse and allow the Holy Spirit to speak His amazing truth into your life. We have a tendency to only think about the cross of Christ during Easter not realizing that it is the central part to our faith in Christ.  The late theologian John Stott puts it this way: The same cross of Christ, which is the grounds of free salvation, is also the most powerful incentive to a holy life. First we humble ourselves at the foot of the cross, confess that we have sinned and deserve nothing at his hand but judgment, thank him that he loved us and died for us, and receive from him a full free forgiveness. Against this self-humbling our ingrained pride rebels. We resent the idea that we cannot earn, or even contribute to our own salvation. (The Cross of Christ pg. 86).

When was the last time you responded to the Holy Spirit convicting you of sin? Did you look at your sin as “well I’m forgiven so…I’m ok” or did it remind you of the price that Jesus paid for that sin/s? I find myself getting complacent about my own sin so much so that I confess it, know that I am forgiven, and then go back to my sinful life as if nothing really happened. I am not suggesting you beat yourself up over your sins, but I want to remind you not to blow them off either as if Jesus didn’t die for your rebellion against Him. That is what sin really is. It isn’t so much about you failing as it is your choice to rebel against Him. When you think about the cross, is it a mere religious symbol or does it bring a holy terror in your soul? How much do your rely on the power of the blood of Christ? You might want to reflect upon what it means for you as a man or women of God. How much do you trust in the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to change those within your circle of influence instead of your witty words that may sound “Christian”? Why is it that we think we have to rely on our own biblical understanding and presentation for someone to come to a saving faith in Christ?  I finally realized this week why our small groups don’t reproduce themselves but instead either stay the same, have a few “ministry trophies” to boast about or end up dying only to start up again with different people claiming it was God’s will. Bottom line answer: we aren’t living in obedience by making disciples. Meaning, we are not sharing our faith with non-believers to the extent that they are compelled to repent and follow Christ. In addition, we are not making the believers around us more mature in Christ.  I need to be reminded of the simple truths of the Gospel that can empower me to live a holy and compelling life so much so that everyone around me is positively impacted.

You and I are crucified in Christ, we no longer live but Christ lives in and through us by faith. If you find yourself living for yourself or a particular idol it is time to repent…to once again put to death those things that you hold on to so tightly that they prevent you from bearing fruit or having any significant spiritual power in your life. We are called and responsible for the lives that God has placed in our path. Take your life in Christ and ministry responsibility seriously as if the people you serve and your life depended on it.

Jesus tells us that all power and authority belongs to Him; hence you and I have been empowered by Christ to make disciples.  In Acts 1:8 we are told we have received power from the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses to the world.  Both of these verses are post crucifixion and resurrection; both are commands to execute and not to ignore.  May the blood of Christ infuse new life and power into your souls so much so that He compels you to rise up and impact your world like never before.

Crucified?

Galatians 2:20 (NASB) I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; 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 up for me.

This is one of those “I already know” verses in the Bible. Though this one is not as often quoted as John 3:16; or Psalm 23; (Though many can’t quote this Psalm, they just know it has something to do with sheep). Some of you may have even sung a rendition of Galatians 2:20 in years past. Though you may already know this verse and of course I thought I had too, I want to challenge you to look at it again for the very first time. Note the language Paul is using here regarding Christ, His crucifixion, our living response to Him and what it means from this point on as a committed Christ follower. 

Crucified with Christ: The most publicly humiliating, physically excruciating and socially defaming act that our Lord endured for us. (See Philippians 2:4-8 for His example and ours to follow) 

Meditate on the crucifixion of Christ looking specifically at what He gave up, what He endured, and what it truly means for you and me.  I no longer live but Christ lives in me: The last part we get and receive. “Christ lives in me” but what does the first part look like? “I” no longer live, “I” am crucified “I” was buried with Christ, “I” died… This goes beyond mere mental assent or spiritual concept. The “I” is killed, buried and no longer in existence…so we claim. Look at the last time “you” got in the way of others or in the way of what God wanted to do in and through you. “You” didn’t get your way; “you” reluctantly had to yield, “you” complained because it didn’t go your way. Take it up a notch. “You” have been asking but He hasn’t given you the answer “you” want. Life has been fruitless and spiritually stagnant and “you” blame your small group, the teacher on the weekend, the worship leader or song that didn’t move you, the bible has been uninspiring, Rick Z's devotional challenges have been nothing of the sort. Before “you” can be thankful “you” need to be repentant. Before “you” can be joyful “you” need to remove “yourself” out of the equation and begin to live as if Jesus and others were more important than “you”. 

 Make a list of the selfish thoughts, words and deeds you have done in one particular day. Make the effort to ask for forgiveness from God and those you cheated out of loving, serving and elevating above yourself.  (It will be both painful and extremely fulfilling) 

Who loved me and gave Himself up for me:  Is the concept of God loving you and dying for you a nice theological thought or theory but not a concrete reality?  Has the thought of God loving you, crucified for you (in your place) just become the correct answer to a Sunday school question or does it challenge the depths of your soul? Does the stark reality that a holy and awesome God takes the utmost pleasure in you as His masterpiece and gave His life specifically for you cause you to rethink your relationship with Him? Allow the Holy Spirit to pierce your heart with this truth. Allow His love for you to immerse you like never before. Don’t allow the enemy to discourage you from receiving God’s love by listing how sinful you have been, how selfish you can be, how messed up your passed was, how much you are not doing for God, and how have failed your Lord. Say NO to the enemy and YES to the Holy Spirit 

You were bought with a price…He shed His blood specifically for you. He died so that you could live in Him. All that He is, is what you and I can be also. The fullness of Christ dwells within you…all power and authority is given to Him, thus you and I have access to the same resurrected power. No weapon formed against us can prosper. We have been given a spirit of love, power and a sound mind; in fact, we have been given the mind of Christ and the ability to live as He lived.  I could go on as I too allow the Holy Spirit to remind me of what Jesus has done and promises to do in and through me. 

I need to live as if I am dead, (a very tall order) then I can truly live as if it is Christ living in and through me. When He is given the controls of my thoughts, my words and all that I do then He truly becomes Lord of my life and the one who lives inside me to guide me. Anything less than that means I have sinful self living somewhere, I have somehow grabbed the wheel that controls my life away from the Holy Spirit, I have in some way decided that my way is better and I hope Jesus joins me and blesses it.

You and I are just a prayer and heart change away from the reality that is in Christ Jesus. Will you join me as I too accept this challenge from the Holy Spirit to live crucified, dead and buried (out of the way) so He can live His resurrected life in and through me? 

Being the Church

Being the Church

We are empowered by the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:3 that our lives are a letter, a billboard, a road sign, written on our hearts, know and read by everyone, we show that we are a letter from Christ, the result of the church’s ministry.  How our lives communicate the “good news” of Jesus Christ can affect the lives of millions.

When Jesus instructed His disciples: “I have been given complete authority in Heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

What Christ is commanding us to is a life that exemplifies His total person, every part of Christ we as His church is to embody. We have been given the authority to act on behalf of Christ, to be His representatives, His ambassadors, basically His primary vehicle to communicate His love and redemptive gift.  To put it to you bluntly, we are it in this world and we are Christ incarnate. There is no plan “B”!

Think of it like this: If the worship experience or what we ignorantly call “church” was a spectator sport, then you would sell popcorn and peanuts in the foyer. The ushers would call out, “hotdogs, cotton candy, get your Cracker Jacks here!” The Church is a living organism, people who live their lives in the fullness of the Spirit of Christ, instead of a noun, a place or a religious thing. The reality is that the “church” is a verb, a people of action, a people of celebration, a people of comfort and healing, and a people that reflect God’s love to a lost community. When the church operates as the church, darkness is removed, lives are transformed, families are restored, ministries are launched and God is glorified.

I realize this line of thinking is nothing new for you, but I hope by way of reminder it will cause you to change the verbiage of your life letter of Christ as it communicates to the world.  Here are a few questions that may point you in a particular direction:

·      What does your life communicate? To Christians? To non-believers?

·      What does it mean to be a spiritual spectator and a spiritual participant?

·      How does your Christianity live like a verb and how might it live like a noun? Is it who you are, or a place you go or an idea you have?

·      What might be one action step you will take to BE the Church this week in the lives of those you frequent?

Spiritual Deposits

Last week during our small group time we reflected upon what we learned in 2012 and what we hope to tackle as a group in 2013.  One thought for a study was to go through the book of Revelation. This is always a “red flag” for me not due to the numerous perspectives and interpretations that are out there but it seems like people will applaud a study and yet walk away with nothing more than extra pound of bible knowledge. So when people would tell me they just finished studying the book of Revelation, I ask them what changes has the study made in their life or what fruit was produced because of this excellent study? Of course I get blank stares with hint of guilt and disappointment as if they wasted their time and now fear their salvation is in question. (I have that affect of people.  It’s a gift!)  Then God challenged my ignorance.  (This I admit is a daily occasion).

Saturday morning as I am praying and reading my bible, my thoughts kept deviating from the text to the bold statements I had made a couple of nights before.  Next the Holy Spirit drew me to Isaiah 55:10-11 (NLT) “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

Here is what I entered in my thought journal that morning: I have been under the impression that there must be some kind of life change, some kind of outward result when you spend time in the word or gone through some type of study. Could it be that those studies or times on the word are precursors or next steps to something God wants to do in an individual? We are all at a different place of our faith journey. Each “word time”, each study or teaching can add pieces to our life puzzle or move us into the next life test, the next break through, the next idea or what ever the Lord has in store.  

Do I still believe that personal application is important to the growth of an individual or group…of course I do.  I also believe that any contact with the Lord is significant, whether He speaks to you through His word, prayer, another person or as you are folding laundry. God’s word always produces fruit and will accomplish what He wants and what is needed for your life.  It is like making deposits in your spiritual checking account. You may not think what you read was significant or life changing but know that the Holy Spirit places it into your account so that when He needs to use it in and through your life;  it is there. I had not read the passage in Isaiah in a long time, but God brought it to my attention on Saturday so that I can repent of my idealistic ignorance and share it with those I love.