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To live by
faith in Christ means more than simply a passive faith. It means that we no
longer live for ourselves. Instead, Christ lives in us, transforming our
actions and giving us a new purpose.
In today's
verse, Paul reveals a profound spiritual truth: our old self, once bound by
sin, has been crucified with Christ. This signifies that we share in Christ's
death and resurrection, finding our identity and purpose in Him.
When you
place your trust in Jesus, you become united with Him in a profound way. This
union includes sharing in His death and resurrection. Just as Christ died for
sin, your old self—enslaved by sin—has been put to death with Him. This
concept is often referred to as "dying to self" or "crucifying
the flesh." It means abandoning old ways of thinking and living, and
adopting a new life centered on Christ and His righteousness.
This is an
ongoing process, as we continuously shed the old self and embrace the new self
in Christ. Abandoning old ways of thinking and living involves letting go
of habits, behaviors, and mindsets that are not aligned with your faith and
values, such as self-centeredness, sinful habits, negative thinking,
unforgiveness, fear, and worry.
This doesn't
imply that we become perfect or sinless. Rather, it means that sin no longer
has control over us. Although we may still experience desires that conflict
with our faith, we are no longer slaves to those desires and have newfound
strength to choose to do right.
Think of it
like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. The caterpillar’s old life is
replaced by something beautiful and new. Similarly, our old self has died
with Christ, and through His resurrection, we become beautiful new creations,
living by His power and grace.
Reflect on
the areas of your life where you might be living for yourself instead of
Christ. Ask God to help you surrender these areas to Him. Embrace the
reality that Christ lives in you, guiding and empowering you to live a life of
faith and obedience. Make daily decisions that reflect this transformation.
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