GOOD NEWS FOR YOU

CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST

Galatians 2:20 states in the AMP version – "I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." Therefore, we can say - "…for me to live is Christ and to die is gain." - Phil.1:21

Col. 3:2- 3 says – "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." This teaches us that when we have died to sin that hinders us and so easily entangles us, that we must run with perseverance the race marked out for us. - Heb. 12:1

All the above verses help us to clearly grasp how important it is to die to self and to live for Christ. How do we crucify ourselves? We crucify ourselves by denying ourselves our own will, by being united with Christ in His death, "For if we have been united with Him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with Him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin, because anyone who has died has been set free from sin." – Romans 6:5-7

Are you living in this wonderful, precious freedom? Do you realize that "Christ is IN you, the hope of glory?" (Col. 1:27) He is in us, and we are in Him…what a great reality we need to grasp with everything within us! 2 Cor. 5:17 assures us – "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" We belong to Christ! "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." (Gal. 5:24) Now we no longer live for ourselves but for, and unto the King of kings, our blessed Redeemer, our Good Shepherd who is ready to lead and guide us now and forever, until we reach Eternity where we will praise, glorify and dwell in His sweet, beautiful presence forever and ever.

We live by faith. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives within me. In Romans 7:14–25, the apostle Paul wrote about the fact that he was a redeemed sinner who still had a carnal body of flesh that warred against the Spirit who lived within him. In verse 18 he wrote – "I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." Yet he continued in verses 24 + 25 – "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

Blessed, most precious Lord Jesus, our great Saviour – Thank You that when you were crucified; You also carried the weight of ALL our sins. Thank You that I can be united WITH YOU IN DEATH AND ALSO IN RESURRECTION. You said in Matt. 16:24+25 – "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and

take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." Please give me the courage to deny myself like You did, to be willing to die to my sins, my own will and my own desires, and to pick up whatever cross You place upon me and follow You willingly. You say that Your yoke is easy and light, that I can be yoked to You and that You will be my burden bearer and help me. NOTHING is too difficult for You. I place myself and all that I am, into Your precious, most blessed nail-scarred Hands, to do with me as YOU will. Amen

Myrtle Grimm-Turunen