Galatians 2:20

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. The life that I now live I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Gal. 2:20

What a wonderfully succinct verse! I've loved this verse for awhile but have not feasted on it. I think I've only nibbled at it as I've feabily nibbled at many truths of scripture - enjoying the meat but not digging into the marrow! But this is verse worth spending time on because its truths are the truths of the gospel. Its truths are the truths that transcends the Jewish tradition of laws, right ways and also against the universal laws to which we all ultimately fail in acheiving. It's the truth that Paul sounds here that is trumpeted in Romans 3 - the solution to the universal problem! A righteousness earned by...Christ, not us? His righteousness, not ours. I think this little verse lays it out quite well to help us practically understand the truths of the Gospel. Today I will focus on the first sentence:

Implications knowing that. "I have been crucified with Christ..."

The 'I' that was, is no longer. It was killed. But here I am...alive sure enough. But in what way? Paul said somewhere that he no longer considers anyone according to the flesh - but only spiritually. And Paul himself, first to admit his being the worst of sinners, his low position among saints, and his sometimes offensive zeal...was yet quicker to accept that this didn't matter anymore! Paul could even say it was no longer him who sinned! How often do we think about ourselves? Our failings, sins, etc.? In reality what we're doing is dwelling on a corrupted and wasting away piece of flesh. Is that what God wants us to do? Is that what is beneficial? My own homework for today - don't think about my old dead, sinful, mangled, corrupted, insidious flesh! It's dead...what a rotten way to waste time! Glance at my self...but stare unflinchingly and faithfully at Christ! Glory!