Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; and 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 the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
My favorite verse in the Scriptures! Life (ex)changing, literally! To know that Jesus took ME to the cross with Him! Oh, if only we could hear more of this!
Jesus through His life, death, burial, resurrection and ascention did AT least 5 things for us and to us:
He overcame sin, the world, temptation, satan and death!~
Believer, He took our old inner man and crucified him/her and gave us a new inner man- and He lives in that new inner man!
And you know, sometimes, I don't even have enough faith. I can't even work up enough in MYSELF to have more faith. But if you read that verse correctly (KJV says it best), it's by HIS FAITH. He is FAITH. Many people believe that faith is a belief system but it's not. Faith, is in all actuality, Jesus.
Faithful is not just a description or attribute of God, it is WHO He is!
1 Cor 10:13, 2 Cor 1:18, Galatians 5:22, 2 Tim 2:13, Rev 19:11
A belief system, is a religion, and all religions flow from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Yes, the Good side of that cursed tree. Trying to earn their way to God or even BE Him.
Only Grace and Truth flow from the Tree of Life, Jesus. Jesus plus nothing, if you add ANYTHING to Him, you are back at that cursed tree.
Oh friends! This day, read what Jesus did for you and to you! Read the Gospels, yes...worship and praise Him! But also read the rest of the Scriptures! The whole gospel! Read Romans 6!
Now, that will cause you to praise Him!
I believe that the need of the hour is for Christians who are called by God to raise up the church as a living, breathing experience. Christians who are broken and tested. Christians who have a deep and living relationship with Jesus Christ. Christians whose lives have been devastated by the cross and the breaking of God. Christians who have incomparable insight into the mystery of God. Christians whose only passion is the Lord and His house. Christians who have a revelation of Christ that burns in their bosom. Christians who are mesmerized by the face of God, and who have the ability to preach Christ in such profound depths that God's people are left staggering.- Frank Viola
