First Week of Advent
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. Galatians 2:20 ESV
It’s a massive understatement, but it is a challenge to live a Christian life. The deck is stacked against us. First of all, the devil is always looking to undermine the Word of Christ and undercut our faith in Jesus. Secondly, we live in a fallen and corrupt world that is opposed to God and the will of God. Finally, there is a traitor within each of us, a fallen nature. We want to go our own way, thank you very much.
It would be hopeless to live as the children of God except that God has created in us a new spiritual person, the new man who desires to do what pleases God. Still, we find, as did the Apostle Paul, that we do what we don’t want to do (following the lead of the flesh) and we do not do what pleases God. (Romans 7:19)
The sinful flesh doesn’t have power over us anymore. Our old man was crucified with Christ and now by faith Christ lives in me. He helps me to overcome temptation by granting a way of escape. When I fall into sin, He reminds me in the Word of God that He paid my debt of sin.
Jesus has come to live in me. I no longer live for myself, but for Him who died for me and rose again. The life I live I live by faith in the Son of God.
Show me what I have to do; Every hour my strength renew.
Let me live a life of faith; Let me die Thy people’s death.
The Lutheran Hymnal 459:7