“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20 NASB)
Living a crucified life means I die to the worldly things I once loved. Through an act of my will I decide to exchange those corruptible things for incorruptible things that have eternal value. The reality is that there is an inevitable void that develops in the flesh when we first start willingly setting our fleshly and worldly desires aside. Unless we are immersing ourselves in Him and His Word other fleshly desires come marching in to swiftly fill that void. Sometimes they are new things; a computer game, television program, new book to read, or some other distraction. Sometimes they are old sinful “friends” that we thought we were rid of; habits and lusts that were once conquered or maybe just set aside in favor of a new distraction.
Often we use these things in attempt to make ourselves feel valued and worthwhile. These things don’t have to be necessarily bad they can be as benign as working or exercising or a sport or other activity you enjoy that makes you “feel good.” However, when done to excess you may find those things are once again replacing what really matters, your love and devotion to Christ.
Christ must be the centerpiece of all we do, the Master of our thoughts, the owner of our souls, and the love of our lives. Until He is in practice as well as proclamation all of these things we will continue to struggle and hurt and kick and scream in failure. He demands to own all of who we are because He paid for all we are! He did not only purchase our hands and feet He purchased our mind, soul, and most importantly our hearts.
He desires that we use what He has redeemed to bring Him honor and glory in our daily lives. This is a sacrifice and the Lord is honored as His people choose this path in the midst of all the other options we are presented with. It is so much easier and more comfortable to go with the flow and blend in with the people we are surrounded with!
A life of sacrifice, laying yourself on the altar and being His woman at His disposal is much harder to maintain. It is difficult with the Lord and the grace He provides, and impossible without the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the hiding of the Word of God in your heart. The cost is so high and the flesh is still so strong that we are unable to provide enough self-will and motivation to make it happen.
For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:14