Have I been Crucified with Christ?

Text: Galatians 2:19
For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; (NRSV)

I try not to bring the current events of our times into these daily devotions because I want them to be somewhat timeless as the Scripture that inspires them.  But we are in a time that is transforming our entire future.  We are seeing good Christians who have identified with a personality that is anything but Godlike.  They seem to have lost the understanding of what it means to die to the ways of this world as they are crucified with Christ.

The motivation to follow a human being who has a reputation of total disregard for human laws that are based on God’s biblical demands as well as God’s way of love for our fellow human beings based on what is seen in the life of Christ, appears to be motivated by selfishness.  It seems to be the age-old quest to hold on to power and material wealth at the expense of the weak and marginalized for whom Jesus gave his life.

When one has been crucified with Christ, one has subjugated one’s own quest for power and material possessions to what is necessary for the upbuilding of the Kingdom of God on earth.  One no longer merely shows an interest in the things of God found in Jesus Christ, one is completely sold out to the ways of God as found in Jesus Christ.  Even if this means a loss of personal power and wealth for what is right and holy in the site of God.  This, at least in part, is what it means to be crucified with Christ.  It means to put our selfishness to death and be raised to new life with Christ, focused on being used by God for the redemption of the broken while living out the righteousness of God.

Pray with me:
God forgive me when I base my decisions on what I believe will benefit me.  Forgive me when I am more concerned with my own personal power and wealth than I am in being identified with you through your Son, Jesus the Christ.  AMEN.