Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 109

April 18;   Galatians 2:20;   164/260(I);   ‘Our Identity’

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.

The Apostle Paul teaches an incredible truth in this verse.  If you can not only understand this verse, but live by it, what an impact you will have on this earth.  God the Father, at the crucifixion of His Son Jesus, saw us legally crucified with Him.  The curse Adam brought on the earth was paid for by the Lord Jesus, by taking that curse upon Himself.  He took our sins upon Himself, He became poor so that we could prosper, He became sickness so that we could be well and He suffered the penalty for our sins so that we would not have to.  God the Father, saw us legally crucified with Jesus.  Here is the exciting and challenging part of this verse.  The Lord needs us to die to ourselves and allow the Lord Jesus to ‘live through us.’  Jesus said that without Him we could do nothing (John 15:5).  This is what we are to do.  Replace all worldly knowledge with the Word of God.  It’s the Word that you know that makes you free.  Treat people with the love of God that was put into your spirit when you were Born Again (Romans 5:5).  Look to the Holy Spirit to lead you, help you and empower you for ministry.  In short, realize that all of your natural abilities cannot change this world.  The world’s problem is spiritual.  Allow Jesus to live and minster through you by the Word, His love and the Holy Spirit.  Build yourself up spiritually by the Word, prayer and worship.  Major on spiritual things, as we said, that is where the answer they need is.  You become the answer they need when you lose your identity and take Jesus’ identity upon yourself.  To be Jesus on this earth, what an honor.