November 5, 2016: SOAP #2529:  Job 28-29; Galatians 1-2
Reworked SOAP from March 11, 2010

Scripture:  Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Observation: Paul said he was crucified (past tense) with Christ.  I do not hear Paul saying he is (present tense) living a “crucified” life.   Paul was obviously not dead.  There was enough life in Paul to write a letter to the Galatians.  If Paul was not living a “crucified” life, then what life was Paul living?  Paul wrote, “…but Christ lives (present tense) in me.”  It is the same old body, but a different Paul.  Old friends would have recognized Paul, but after only a few minutes, they would also recognize something different.  It was not an updated life Paul was now living.

There was no directory containing downloads with the patches needed to correct things in Paul’s life.  It was a whole new operating system!

Application:  Jesus said we must be born again.  It was not a new body I needed, it was a new life.  As Christ was crucified (past tense), I too have died (past tense) to my old life.  As Jesus lives (present tense) He now (present tense) lives in me.  Jesus earthly life is in the past.  Jesus now lives (present tense) with complete victory over all temptation, over the devil, and over the grave!  And that is the life He now lives (present tense) in me.  And that is the life I now live (present tense) with Him!  Wow!

The more I attempt to live a God-honoring life in my strength, my wisdom, my will power, the more I prove that I cannot do it.  He must live His life in me.  My challenge is to allow the Holy Spirit to direct me in living Christ’s post-resurrection, victorious life.

Prayer:  Lord, by your Holy Spirit, live your life through me today.  May you be seen in all I say and do.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!