The Bible says that the saved have peace that passes understanding, joy unspeakable, and will be full of glory. How many Christians would you describe that way? We need to bring our lives up to the standard God has for us.
Crucified with Christ
The Bible says that when Jesus died, His death had our names on it. “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God…” (Colossians 3:3; see also Galatians 2:20). That is true about every mother’s child who is saved.
“…Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth” (Colossians 3:5a). Wait—doesn't the Bible say we are already dead? Is that a contradiction? No! Paul is saying that technically, you are dead with Christ, but practically, you must appropriate what you have in Christ.
New Life in Christ
In Romans 7:1-3, Paul gives us an illustration showing that by nature we are married to the law, and the law makes demands that we cannot meet, no matter how hard we try. But when Jesus died, we died with Him.
“Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God” (Romans 7:4). Now, we are the Bride of Christ.
Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
Jesus said, “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39).
Say, “I can't please the law, Jesus. I died with you, so I come to the end of that old way.” Then you will start living.
You have to go through death to get to Heaven, and you have to die to yourself to get to the victorious life. This is not morbid; this is joyful. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b).
Stop Trying, and Start Trusting God
As an early Christian, the Apostle Paul found out that love’s requirements are even higher than the law’s. The law said, “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.” Love says, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” (Luke 6:27).
A lost man cannot keep the law of God, and a saved man cannot keep the law of God in his own strength. This is what Paul found. “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25a). Every demand of God upon your life is a demand on Jesus Christ who lives in you. Deliverance comes through Christ.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2).
Praise God for the Victorious Life
Quit crying, “Oh wretched man that I am!” (Romans 7:24a) and start praising: “I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25)
What would happen if all Christians really laid hold of their possessions—if they didn’t make the Bible match their lives, but let their lives match the Bible?
This is not for an unbeliever. No unbeliever can live a victorious, abundant life, with the Spirit of God in him. To be saved, you must receive the gift of salvation: the Lord Jesus Christ.
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