“For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3 (New American Standard Bible)

“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 2:20 (King James)

Last month we looked at characteristics of the old life we left behind before we knew Christ and also characteristics of the new life we have in Christ.  This month we look at the truth and the seeming contradiction between our being alive and dead simultaneously.

As disciples of Jesus Christ, the part of us that is opposed to God is dead.  The mindset of the human sinful nature no longer operates in us.  Instead, Christ Jesus now expresses Himself through us, thereby showing the world Who God is. 

That reality brings great joy to us to know that God would work through us in this way.  However, in this time, there is a question we need to ask ourselves: Am I allowing the life of Christ to be expressed in and through me to the extent that Jesus Himself desires? 

We need to learn to adapt to our new lifestyle!  The struggle we face often is that we still live from the dead nature instead of the vibrancy that comes from the life of Christ.  It is not something that one manufactures out of emotion or a good mood.  No, it is a state of realisation where you have given up yourself to whatever rights you have or think you have to live your life your own way.  It’s a knowing, an acceptance of God in you.

Live today in the knowledge that whatever you think, say and do is supposed to be an expression of Christ living in and through you.  A tall order?  Maybe.  Nevertheless…you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God!

Written by Pastor Marjorielyn R Campbell, Petra Global Ministries 2008

E-mail: admin@petraglobal.org.uk

This devotion may be reprinted, copied or distributed with the following acknowledgement shown:

“Reprinted/Copied/Distributed with the permission of:

Pastor Marjorielyn R Campbell, Petra Global Ministries 2008; www.petraglobal.org.uk”