A New Beginning
One of my favourite texts in scripture is found in Galatians 2:20.
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
From this verse I understand that:
- My life has been relinquished: “I have been crucified with Christ.” In other words, I have given up the life I used to have. I no longer live as I used to. I must not live like I used to live.
- My life has been exchanged for another life: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” I have given up that old life, and now Christ lives in me. Now I have a life that is far superior to anything I might have had before — Christ lives in me.
- Now that my life has been exchanged, I live a trusting life: “… the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith …” I can have faith in Christ, and I can have faith in the Father. I must now live in faith that God is faithful and righteous, and that what he has promised he will fulfil.
- God’s promises for my life, and my eternal destiny were confirmed because, “the Son of God … loved me and gave himself for me.”
Colin R. Vine