Paul describes what it is like to truly live.
That old man---crucified.
That new man---living. Grace is "quickened."
"I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself up for me." Gal. 2:20.
"He has the comforts and the triumphs of grace; yet that grace is not from himself, but from another. Believers see themselves living in a state of dependence on Christ." M. Henry. I cannot get away from this flesh of mine. But what it truly means is that even though I try to love and forgive and honor and obey while living in my flesh, I will not yield to live after this flesh of mine.
The hidden life is all about faith, not attaching ourselves to what is good and right and lovely and pure---God never meant for us to be attached to anything, even good things. Only attached to Him. That faith "fastens" upon Christ's giving Himself. And to believe Christ was crucified, we believe that we are crucified with Him.
And. We will not miss the Grace of God. For to live in Christ means that we will not miss the Nature of Grace. It is freely given. Never based on what we do, on how we perform. This faith yields the fruit of Grace---and that changes everything. The way we look at people; the words that come out of our mouths; the thoughts of good toward others not selfish gain; the motives curved outward to our world. We are fastened by faith to The Almighty. No one makes us. It's our free gift that we open willingly and eagerly.
And we do not live bewitched by this flesh, this life of ours. Gal 3:1
And we do not reject the Grace of God. Gal 2:21
COME BOLDLY: Timeless Prayers
Dear Father, May we never reject the Grace You offer to us this day. Unlock these attached hearts to the world, the flesh, the enemy of our souls. Make our motives clear and pure. Move us into our world by faith. And where we are not dependent on you, open these bewitched eyes to truly see.
PHOTO: A favorite spot to reflect on being attached to what matters.
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