Thursday, March 6, 2014
Galatians 5:24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
HIS DEATH CHANGES US
People talk about having life-changing experiences. Those who walk away safely from a devastating car or airplane crash are often never the same again. Coming so close to death makes them think and act differently, and changes their perspective on many things. They don't want to go back to the way they were.
There is a life-changing event that is part of your history too. In particular, Jesus' death has changed things for you in every way imaginable. Without it, you would have to face God's judgment with only your own merits in hand--and you would not be up to it. You would not be good enough to satisfy His requirements for entrance into eternal life. But Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, and it changed your status too. Now, although you still sin daily, your punishment has been accepted by Christ, justice has already been satisfied, and you are declared righteous and worthy of heaven.
Not only that, but God's Holy Spirit has persuaded you to believe that this is all true, and by faith you have gained all the benefits of Christ's death on your behalf-- and you will pass through death to everlasting joy.
Jesus' death changes you. So do you want to go back to the way things were? You were once dead in your trespasses and sins. You were once ruled by the Prince of Darkness, the devil. You were once an enemy of the Lord's, but "you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:11).
Jesus was crucified for us, so let's strive to crucify the sinful nature in us with its passions and desires. Let's be glad to turn away from the sins that cost Jesus His life. Let's act changed!
Grant that I Thy Passion view
With repentant grieving
Nor Thee crucify anew
By unholy living.
How could I refuse to shun
Every sinful pleasure
Since for me God's only Son
Suffered without measure?
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 140:4)
