The crucified life.
Not my will, but Yours. Obedience.
“Though He (Jesus) was a Son, yet He
learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected,
He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:8-9).
We, too, learn obedience by the things we suffer. Paul said it like this: “I
have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who
live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by
faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians
2:20).
What can I say this Holy Week, this
day before Good Friday, that would hold any significance in light of Jesus’
sacrifice? Nothing. My words are totally inadequate. But His aren’t. The word –
the lamp unto our feet and light unto our path – illuminates the way to the
crucified life. The following scriptures, stepping stones. Leaps, perhaps.
Let this mind be in you which was also in
Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be
equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a
bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance
as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even
the death of the cross (Philippians 2:5-8).
Leap…
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition
or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than
himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for
the interests of others (Philippians 2:3-4).
Leap…
For if you live according to the flesh you
will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death
the deeds of the body, you will live (Romans
8:12).
Leap…
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the
mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is
your reasonable service (Romans 12:1).
Leap…
Walk in
love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a
sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma (Ephesians 5:2).
Leap…
...lay down our lives
for the brethren (I John 3:16).
...wives, submit to our husbands
as is fitting in the Lord (Colossians 3:18).
…husbands, love your wives, just
as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her (Ephesians 5:25).
…children, obey your parents in
all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord (Colossians 3:20).
…Fornication and all uncleanness or
covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither
filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but
rather giving of thanks (Ephesians 5:3-4).
…owe no one anything except to love one
another (Romans 13:8).
…do good and share (Hebrews 13:16).
…give as you purpose in your heart, not
grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).
…put away all bitterness, wrath, anger,
clamor, evil speaking, and malice (Ephesians 4:31).
…judge not, condemn not (Luke 6:37).
…be kind to one another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:32).
(Even when you’re not asked.)
…be subject to rulers and authorities, obey,
and be ready for every good work (Titus 3:1)
…speak evil of no one, be peaceable, gentle,
showing all humility to all men (Titus 3:2).
…continually offer the sacrifice of praise to
God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name (Hebrews 13:15).
…rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in
everything give thanks (I Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Mission impossible? Yes! For me. In my
own effort or power. But with God, nothing will be impossible (Luke 1:37). We
can do everything through Him who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13), because
His grace is sufficient for us, and His power is made perfect in weakness (2
Corinthians 12:9).
Why the crucified life?
We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that
the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are
hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in
despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed – always
carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also
may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered
to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our
mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you. And since we
have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed
and therefore I spoke," we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that
He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will
present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread
through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet
the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is
but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which
are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen
are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:7-5:5,
emphasis mine).
“Therefore we also, since we are
surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and
the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race
that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our
faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider
Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become
weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed,
striving against sin” (Hebrews 12:1-4).
Let us
each live a crucified life today as we become more wholly His.
Shauna Wallace
Holy His
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