CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST

Posted on by Angel Lovoy Moore

Day 28 – Who He Says I Am Series

“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.”

– Galatians 2:20

In Christ –

YOU ARE CRUCIFIED

Have you ever found an old jacket that you used to love and wear buried in the back of your closet? You pull it out, dust off the sleeves, and try to put it on, but this time when you slip into it, it just doesn’t fit right anymore?  The jacket that you used to love just isn’t right for you and you don’t even want to wear it any longer. This is the picture of our old sin nature. We used to love it. We used to follow it as our master, but because of Jesus, your old self has been crucified with Him. You died to your sin nature. You no longer have one. That doesn’t mean that you no longer sin. There is a distinction. You still sin because behaviors tend to take on a path of least resistance and familiarity as well as being habitual – it’s what we’ve done in the past, so sometimes we fall into doing it again, but that is not who you are. Whatever the reason that believers still sin, the fact is that sin is no longer your master. Righteousness is how you are now defined and how God sees you.  Many believers confuse conviction with guilt. I used to think that conviction and condemnation were the same thing just coming from different places. But the truth is they are not the same thing at all. The enemy, who is also called the accuser of the brethren, condemns and accuses you of your wrong doing which leads to guilt and shame. But conviction is altogether different. Conviction comes from Holy Spirit who lives within you and Holy Spirit doesn’t bring condemnation or guilt or shame. No, Holy Spirit whispers sweet truths of who you really are. Conviction comes from the word convict, which means to convince. Holy Spirit is convincing you that you are no longer a sinner. As a believer, when you sin, Holy Spirit is saying to you, “That jacket doesn’t fit anymore. That’s not who you are. Here is your new jacket. You are clothed in righteousness because of Jesus. You are the righteousness of God in Christ. Take that old jacket off. You are not a sinner. You are a saint.” Receive these words into your heart today. Rise up in the truth of your identity in Christ. Anytime you sin and start hearing the voice of guilt and shame, stop and recognize that is not the language of heaven. Instead listen to the voice of Holy Spirit encouraging you and reminding you of who you really are. You are righteous because of Jesus. You have been crucified with Christ and raised to a new life of redemption. Embrace your new identity in Him. To wear the old jacket of sinner is to declare that you belong to the wrong team. You wear the jacket of righteousness now. That is who you are.  Jesus took all of your sin into His body and paid for it on the cross. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, Paul writes that Jesus actually became our sin. All of God’s wrath against sin – all sin ever- was poured out on sin at the cross. Jesus did a finished and perfect work. God didn’t save any wrath for you. You were crucified with Him. Your old sin nature doesn’t even exist anymore. You died to sin and are alive in Christ.  (Romans 6:11) Through faith we now know that it is Christ who lives in us. It is no longer you doing the work. In fact, it’s not even your job. It is Christ whose finished work is now working and living through you. (Phollippians 2:13)

CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST – is your Identity!

Daily Reminder

You don’t have to work to be Crucified with Christ, you already are Crucified with Christ because Christ gave you a new identity. His identity. This is who you are because of who He is, not who you have to try to become.

– Religion tells us what to do to become, which equals self reliance – the focus is on self.

– The truth of the Gospel tells us who we are because of who Jesus is and what He did – the focus is on Jesus.

Good News  – Our Father in heaven is pleased with you because of what Jesus did – it all hinges on Him not us.

We are in union with Christ (1 Corinthians 6:17). When our Daddy in heaven looks at you, He sees Jesus, and He is nothing but pleased. (Matthew 3:17)

Rest in Him today

Lord Jesus,

Thank You for the gift of Your righteousness. You earned it. You are Jehovah Tsidkenu – our Righteousness. There is nothing I did to earn it and nothing I can do to lose it. Today I will listen to Your sweet whispers to remind me that the old jacket doesn’t fit, and I have been clothed in Your righteousness alone. Help me to block out all other voices. Thank You Jesus!

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Published by Angel Lovoy Moore

I must admit that I am a bit of an enigma: a half-Italian Alabama native who hosts giant groups of friends and family every chance I get, but will also sneak away to a private corner to read a good book or journal my latest thoughts. I will cook a creative gourmet feast from scratch without any recipe or measurements, but also enjoy a quick and simple meal at the local cozy hole-in-the-wall diner down the street. I have been married to my childhood family friend for 25 years with whom I share 3, nearly all adult children, and am deeply passionate about Grace, Family, and Faith. I am passionate about pointing people to Jesus. I am compelled to share what He has done in my life and all that He has taught me. I desperately want people to see Him for who He really is and not all the attachments that religion has put on Him. I long for people, believers and unbelievers alike, to understand the Truth - the uncensored, un-manipulated Truth of the Gospel. Because of the blood of Jesus, the Life He gave on the Cross, we are unconditionally loved by the Father and once we place our faith in Jesus, we are forever in right standing with God. It is the power of the finished work of the Cross. I am in awe and live to proclaim- Thank You Jesus! Come along with me as we Journey to Grace Land!