As one who has investigated my faith for thirteen years, I find this verse oddly comforting and difficult to live out. Being able to be spiritual in North America, let alone, Seattle, the second most unchurched state, first is Oregon, has been an interesting task.
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
~Galatians
To no longer live for the selfish passions of my nature, but rather for Jesus, because of his great love for me has made today worth it. Believer, take note. Imagine taking the nails, and the crown of thorns..LOOK at the first five words. What are you crucifying? Is that not going to be painful, right.
What is the reason why though? The worst form of Roman torture in the history of mankind was on the crucifix. They hung convicted criminals. Hours on end of excruciating pain. I see that word crucified and think that something seriously criminal in my life had to die, and die painfully. and it died with my Savior. That criminal was my sin that kept me distant from my God. And God would do ANYTHING to get me back.
It’s WORTH IT b/c. Because Jesus loved me and gave himself for me. Whenever I dwell upon the Greatest, Perfect love in my life in Jesus, these things of earth grow strangely dim in the Light of His glory and grace.
