July 23, 2023 - INSCRIPTIONS FROM THE HEART

By PS La Guardia

IFH: July 23, 2023

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. Gal.2:20a (NLT)

How have our old selves been crucified with Christ? As I prayerfully reflect through this heart piercing and soul searching question, I cannot help but cry out to the Lord just like how Peter repentantly confessed before the Lord Jesus;

Luke 5:8 (ESV) 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

And also of how Paul remorsefully realized his frailty, his sinful human nature;

Romans 7:24 (ESV) 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

For as long as we are still in this mortal, temporary earthly life, we are constantly and desperately in dire need of God's grace and strength in order to daily live the “crucified life” in Christ which is descriptive of our constant yielding and obedience to His Lordship over our lives. But it is so encouraging that we are not alone in this, for Christ lives in us. He never leaves nor forsakes us. He is the only source of strength and wisdom so in our gesture of humility and surrender we can live for Him. We have to realize that it is impossible to live for Christ apart from His own love, grace, mercy and strength.

Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected back to life so that in Him and only through Him we have been justified from the ‘penalty’ of sin. We are being sanctified from the ‘power’ of sin and consequentially being able to live a life where He is always glorified as we await that day where we will be with Him in eternity, where we shall be saved from the ‘presence’ of sin and for eternity we shall live for His glory only. My old self has been crucified with Christ, so that daily in and through my life, He is glorified.