For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing! Galatians 2:19-21 NIV

God…

1. gave himself for me. I am so grateful for that! I was worth that to God. Isn’t that amazing!
2. has grace that makes me righteous. I love the passages that talk about grace as power. I think especially of 1 Corinthians 15:10 where Paul says it was the grace of God working in him that empowered his mission work or of Romans 1:16 where Paul describes the gospel as the “power of God that brings salvation.” (NIV) Power! Power!! Power!!! Power is incredibly important for a transformed life. I am so glad that the power in God’s grace has the ability to make me righteous and act like it too!
3. crucified. That is the foolishness of what Paul preached. It really is an absurd concept to think that the most powerful force in the universe, the Source of all positive energy and movement, the creator of all beings and life… It is truly absurd to think that that Power could be nailed to a cross by a few Roman soldiers. No wonder the Greeks thought the gospel was foolishness! That death died through the most powerful force for good being willing to die is a pretty crazy concept! Praise God that death has ended, is ending, and will end!

Therefore I….

1. am crucified with Christ. In a spiritual, metaphysical way, I was with him when he was nailed to that cross. He is also with me today when I allow myself to die in order that others might live.
2. contain incredible power. Isn’t it absolutely remarkable that the power of God is in me? Rivers of God’s power are meant to flow through me. That is mind-blowing to me! What incredible amazingness! Now if only I would quit kinking the hose (quenching the Spirit) out of fear for what God’s power flowing through me freely would look like. Oh Holy Spirit! Reign, rain, rein in my life!
3. risen to life. Isn’t it amazing that the Son of God gave himself for me that I might live for Christ? That I might know what it is to be risen to life? Hurray!!!!

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