THE LIFE WHICH I NOW LIVE GALATIANS 2:20-21

Being a Christian is a chosen way of life. In our Scripture Reading Paul gives a concise, but complete definition of Christianity: The life Being a Christian is a chosen way of life. Those in sin are dead, according Ephesians 2:1-5. Those in Christ have life, John 10:10 This life is to be lived now. Paul told Titus that this life is to be lived Soberly Righteously Godly This morning lets notice three outstanding characteristics of this life.

The Life Is Cross-Centered “I have been crucified with Christ…” The cross was the center of Paul’s preaching. I Corinthians 1:18, 23 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, I Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Redemption, our cleansing from sin, is found only in the blood of Christ. I Peter 1:18-19 Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. I John 1:7, 9 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

As Christians we are to be “crucified with Christ.” The old man of sin must be put to death. Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. Colossians 3:9-10 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.

The Christian is to glory in cross. Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Some glory in wealth. Some glory in worldly wisdom. Some glory in the flesh, some sort of worldly glory. The Christian glories in the cross. The Christian life must be a cross-centered life.

The Life Is One Of Consecration Consecration— To make or declare sacred; set apart. Those who live in the flesh must not live of the flesh. The flesh often identifies a life that is alienated from God. Under the control of Satan. Galatians 5:19-21 talks about “the works of the flesh.” Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. There are some who walk after the flesh. The Christian is to walk after the Spirit. Romans 8:4-6 That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

The Christian life is a life of consecration. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. II Corinthians 6:17-18 Therefore "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.'' I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.'' I Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. The Christian life is a life of consecration.

It Is A Life Of Confidence Paul lived by faith. “…the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God…” Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Blessed assurance Jesus is mine You ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart. FAITH IS ASSURANCE Because of this the Christian can live a life of confidence. The Christian says “I Can!” Christianity gives self-confidence. How is this possible?

WITH GOD THE IMPOSSIBLE CAN HAPPEN! Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. John 15:7 "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” Matthew 19:26 "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'' Romans 8:31, 37 If God is for us, who can be against us? Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. WITH GOD THE IMPOSSIBLE CAN HAPPEN!

The Christian’s faith also gives confidence relative to the future. II Corinthians 4:16-5:1 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. John 14:2-3 "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

Are You Crucified With Christ? We know these verses are true because our faith tells us they are true. The Christian life is a life of confidence. Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Are You Crucified With Christ? Are You Still Living In The Flesh?

Given by David Hamlin on 9-27-09 am Hollister, Missouri church of Christ www.hollisterchurchofchrist.org