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FOR
WHOM DO YOU LIVE AND WHO LIVES IN YOU?
“ For through
the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is
no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by
faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for
if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.” (Galatians 2: 19-21)
Galatians 2: 15-25 is one of the four texts for
the third Sunday after Pentecost and these texts clearly reveal the transforming power of the grace of
God. “ It is no longer I who lives but it is Christ who lives in me.” The wonder of God’s grace
is that in Christ God forgives us our sin. I am forgiven because of the faith, grace and sacrifice of
Christ. It is not my faith that is the source of my forgiveness but it is Christ’s. If I were
forgiven because of my faith then faith would be a work and not a gift. Those who hold that faith is a
work nullify the free gift of grace and the redemption of Jesus Christ and attribute forgiveness and
salvation to a work of the law and have no need for Jesus or his saving grace.
Faith is God’s gift to us won by Christ. The
gift that each of us receives is the same gift. I can not brag that my gift is greater or superior to
yours. Faith is the same gift given to all. It is a gift
given and it becomes a possession of those who the gift of faith processes. As Christ’s child I know
who I am and whose I am. Faith and salvation re always tied to the forgiveness of sin. My sin is
forgiven not because I ask for it to be forgiven, or that I am worthy of forgiveness, but because my
sin is taken by Christ and atoned by his sacrifice and God is gracious.
Heavens gates are open and my salvation is secure
as a gift of God by grace and know to me by faith in Christ’s sacrifice revealed by the Holy Spirit.
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