Cross Over to Eternity

UV 1711/10000 Cross Over to Eternity
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
Galatians 2 v 20
To identify with the death and resurrection of Christ is to crucify our flesh nature with its evil desires or lusts. It is to die to the world and its evil influences. It is to die to the idea that one is able to save himself or herself by his or her good deeds. It is to rely on grace of Jesus and grace alone. It is to put one’s own ego to death and to know that the purpose of life is to live in and for Christ. It is to put the old self to death and to live by the new self re- created in the image of Christ. It is to live by faith in Jesus and by the leading of the Spirit of God. It is to yield our entire being to God in the same manner Jesus yielded Himself to the Father. We yield and use the different parts of our being for the glory of the Lord by the grace of Jesus. The resurrection power and life of Jesus are manifest in and through us.

To be crucified with Christ does mean that we pay the price of following Jesus. We share in His suffering as well as His glory and grace. We need to abide in His Word and obey His will. The more we obey His Word and will, the more our own sinful nature is put to death. We are ransomed prisoners formerly abducted by the spirit of this world. Now that we are freed, we enjoy our freedom but do not abuse it. It shows up in a change of perspective, a change of priorities and in our character.
To be crucified with Christ is not to take the supreme sacrifice of Jesus for granted but to be thankful and to reflect our gratitude in our thoughts, words and actions. It is to understand what it cost the Father and the Son Jesus to substitute His death in our place and give us the opportunity to live forever. It is to understand the magnitude of the love of God and of Jesus and to allow that love to transform our own nature. Our crucifixion with Christ is not an event that happened on a single day but it is a progressive and spiritual transformation of our lives. We carry the cross every day in every way possible. For instance, we do not retaliate in the same manner when people harm or hurt us as we are carrying the cross of Jesus. We forego many of our rights and privileges as we carry the cross of Jesus. We are able to endure much suffering as we focus our eyes on the cross. As His suffering was much more intense and extreme, we make light of our own temporary troubles and pain. Our attitude is not one of grief or mourning or sorrow but one of joy for we know that every cross we carry for Christ ends in a crown of victory.

Prateep V Philip