Life of the Cross
June 16, 2015
Devotions:
"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God." (Galatians 6:14-16 KJV)
Here Paul talks about the reality our our death in Christ. It is a death that is not threoritical but an actual event that occurs wehen we receiuve what Jesus has done for us. He says that we are to glory in wht work of God alone and not in our own self efforts to save ourselves. He glories in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ alone. Through the cross the world no longer has any hold on me because at the cross I died to all of my sin in Jesus. Sin was the hold that satan and the world had on me but all my sin has been dealt with in Jesus. Paul's reference of circumsion is referring to the old religious order that God had set up as a type and a shadow of the reality that was revealed in Jesus. So when Jesus came on the scene, the types and shadows were no longer to be adhered to because the law could make nothing perfect but the bringing in of a better covenant did.
Our manner of life then is to walk by the new life within us and not by outward rules and regulations. This inner life is the life of God, it is love poured into our hearts to produce His love in us which is the fulfillment of the Law. As I walk by Love, I do not need the Law. Love is the fulfillment of the Law.
"Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:" (Galatians 1:3-4 KJV)
Praise to God because Jesus was successful and delivered us from this present evil world. Looking unto Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith.