Explore the profound exchanges that occur when we give our lives to Christ, including the exchange of our old life for a new one, the adoption of His name, and the indwelling of His Spirit.
Good morning, church family! Today, we are diving deep into the heart of Galatians, specifically Galatians 2:20 which says,
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
You see, this verse beautifully encapsulates three profound exchanges that happen when we give our lives to Christ. Which is what we’re discussing today.
As A.W. Tozer once said, "God became man to turn creatures into sons: not simply to produce better men of the old kind but to produce a new kind of man."
Let us pray.
Dear Lord, thank you for the opportunity to gather here today to explore your word. As we delve into Galatians 2:20, open our hearts and minds to fully grasp the depth of the exchange that has taken place in our lives through Jesus Christ. Help us to understand what it means to live a life crucified with Christ, to carry His name, and to be filled with His Spirit. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Now, let’s journey together into the heart of these divine exchanges.
The first exchange that takes place when we give our lives to Christ is the exchange of our old life for a new life in Him. This is a transformative process that begins the moment we accept Christ as our Savior. Our old life, characterized by sin, selfishness, and separation from God, is replaced with a new life, marked by righteousness, love, and a restored relationship with our Creator.
Not merely a superficial change: It is not about modifying our behavior or adopting a new set of rules. It is a radical transformation that affects the very core of our being. The Apostle Paul describes it as being 'crucified with Christ.' This is a powerful metaphor that signifies the death of our old self and the birth of our new self in Christ.
What happens: When we are crucified with Christ, our old sinful nature is put to death on the cross with Him. This means that the power of sin over our lives is broken. We are no longer slaves to our sinful desires, but we are set free to live a new life in Christ. This new life is characterized by the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
A lifelong journey: Every day, we are called to die to our old self and to live for Christ. This involves a daily surrender of our will to God's will, a daily choice to follow Christ instead of our own desires. It's a process of sanctification, where we are continually being made more like Christ.
Requires our active participation: We need to cooperate with the Holy Spirit's work in our lives by reading and meditating on God's Word, praying, worshiping, and being part of a community of believers. These spiritual disciplines help us to grow in our relationship with Christ and to live out our new life in Him.
Implications for our identity: When we give our lives to Christ, we are no longer defined by our past mistakes, failures, or successes. Instead, our identity is found in Christ. We are no longer who we used to be, but we are new creations in Christ. This new identity gives us a new perspective on life, a new purpose, and a new hope.
Possible because of God's grace: We cannot earn this new life by our good works or religious rituals. It is a gift from God, given to us through faith in Jesus Christ. It is by grace we have been saved, and it is by grace we can live this new life in Christ.
When we choose to follow Jesus, we are not just accepting a set of beliefs or a moral code, but we are taking on a new identity ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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