Galatians 2:20-21 The Gospel of Grace

This week we remembered 14 years ago when we experienced the worst act of terror on American soil. Nearly 3,000 people died that day. 343 firefighters, 60 police officers, 2 paramedics. The rest were workers, commuters, tourists, residents, children. We honor their memory. We honor our soldiers who serve to put an end to wicked mens schemes. We refuse to let ourselves forget those wicked acts. We remember those we have lost.

We are horrified, unsettled, even angry that innocent people who were just going to work or traveling to see loved ones or trying to help protect people and save lives were brutally murdered.

Galatians 2:20-21

What does it mean to be crucified with Christ? One of the most shocking things about Jesus is his death. The cross was humiliating, brutal, torturous, gruesome. The contrast between his goodness and his profound suffering shakes you to your core.

First, the crucifixion of Jesus is the open display of my own wickedness. Second, the cross is the end of my arrogant self-reliance. When I look at the cross and see Jesus' suffering, I am undone. My old proud self that loves to think of myself as good enough to be acceptable to God - that old self dies there at the foot of the cross.

All of us like to think of ourselves as good people, just "that far" from God. But the cross is a demonstration of how far we have fallen. When Christ died, I died.

What's left then if I died? "Christ lives in me." Christ remains. He lives and has taken over where my pride and my self-directed life ended. This is what Christianity is. Not just believing in your head the things of the Bible. A Christian has had her pillar of pride toppled, his heart of stone crushed, his arrogant spirit has been broken. His life is now under a new master. "I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."

The new "I" that lives doesn't crave self-reliance, self-direction, or self-exaltation. The new "I" looks away from self and toward Christ. Look to Christ for direction, for courage, for motivation, for acceptance and power to walk in joy and peace and righteousness. Paul contrasts how he was once focused on fulfilling the law in every area of his life, but now the aim, meaning and guiding principle of his life is Christ.

Point of application: That old self needs to be reminded regularly that it's been crucified. When you're selfish, afraid, arrogant, remind that old self that it was crucified with Christ. There is a new man of the house, Jesus Christ lives in me.

I need to be reminded that I have new life in Christ. I no longer live - but Christ lives in me.

Faith in the "Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me."

Jesus gave himself on the cross as an offering for you and me. Roman rulers sentenced him. Jewish leaders opposed him. Soldiers beat, mocked and crucified him. But it was Jesus' love for you and me that compelled him to the cross.

Application: 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Paul: blasphemer, persecutor, insolent opponent of Jesus, ignorant, unbelieving Received: mercy, grace, faith and love I am the chief of sinners, yet God showed me mercy, grace, and love.

We can have a hard time believing or receiving God's love. Christ gave himself for you because he loves you.

We, like Paul, can say, "Jesus loves even me and gave himself for me."