Galatians 2:20-21 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me… Life — the higher and truer life of a man — resolves itself into one thing, viz., trust in Jesus. Expand that trust, and you will find it life — life indeed — life for ever. Consider this life. The question was, How can a sinner live at all, and not die? seeing God has said, "The soul that sinneth it shall die;" and every one of us has sinned? Can God falsify His own word? 1. When Jesus died we died. We died in Him. So we have died, and our death is passed. We can live, and God be true. 2. But what makes life? Union with life. Christ is life. We are united to Christ, as a member is united to the head. And as the member lives because the head lives, we live by and in the life of Jesus Christ. That is life. 3. Now life thus possible, and thus made — what is it? Life is to live in every part of our being — body, intellect, heart, soul. Now what can engage the whole man but religion? And what is religion? The indwelling of Christ and the service of God. 4. Then of that life what is the motive power? Love. The love of God. Who can really love God but those who are forgiven, and who therefore can feel, "God is my Father"? And who can say that out of Jesus Christ? 5. And of that life what is the root? The Exemplar, the great Exemplar — the pattern of Christ. 6. What is its aim and focus? To please and glorify Him to whom it owes itself. 7. What is its consummation and rest? The presence, and the image, and the enjoyment, and the perfect service of God throughout eternity. (James Vaughan, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. |
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