Weekday Devotionals - Tony
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 KJV
Pastor Aaron was reading from Galatians 5 this past Sunday. The passage illustrates the
stark differences between the acts of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. There’s an interesting little nugget of truth in verse 24: “And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” This immediately reminded me of my favorite verse that is the focus of this devotional.
The Bible uses two different Greek words for “crucified”.
Stauroō
Pronunciation – stow-ro'-o
This is used 46 times each one is a reference to the actual crucifixion of Christ or the impact of the actual crucifixion of Christ and
Systauroō
Pronunciation – soos-tow-ro'-o
This is used only 5 times. It means to be crucified alongside of.
This is the word used in Galatians 2:20.
Another example of this is in
Matthew 27:44 “The thieves also, which were crucified with him…”
God teaches us in the Bible that we, as believers, were crucified alongside Christ. This is a truth that is expanded upon in Romans, Galatians and Colossians. Why is this important?
To be crucified with Christ means that the body of flesh in which I live, where sin and lust reside, is now dead...crucified.
To be crucified with Christ means that I am also risen with him.
To be crucified with Christ is a work or operation of God that we access through faith and belief.
Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. Jhn 6:28-29 KJV
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. Col 2:11-12 KJV
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Rom 6:6
Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Rom 6:4 KJV
So, if this is all true, why do we still struggle with our flesh? I know it says that the body of sin might be destroyed but mine seems very much alive. How does one have the self-control needed to master the beast (as Pastor Aaron referenced) when these mountains seems so big and the faith just seems so small?
Faith is a choice, not a feeling. We take our next steps in spite of our weakness.
His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
...And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect
in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of
Christ may rest upon me. 2Co 12:9 KJV
It’s during these periods of doubt that we can learn from the faith of Abraham. The facts of his circumstances were that his body was too old to father a child. Sarah’s body was too old to conceive.
Nevertheless, the scripture says in Roman 4 -
And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was
about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: He staggered
not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God
Rom 4:19-20 KJV
The Hall of Fame of faith is listed in Hebrews chapter 11. Through 40 verses, God brags
about the great faith of these believers. Their triumphs and their tragedies. Two verses in this passage stand out. Verses 13 and 39. They all died...never having received the promise upon which their faith rested.
Yes, the flesh wants to do all manners of lusts contrary to the Spirit but God says that the
body of sin has been destroyed, 2000 years ago with Jesus on the cross.
Are you choosing to believe God and walk, step by step, in God’s truth, regardless of whether or not this aligns with your experiences?
- Tony T
Pastor Aaron was reading from Galatians 5 this past Sunday. The passage illustrates the
stark differences between the acts of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. There’s an interesting little nugget of truth in verse 24: “And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” This immediately reminded me of my favorite verse that is the focus of this devotional.
The Bible uses two different Greek words for “crucified”.
Stauroō
Pronunciation – stow-ro'-o
This is used 46 times each one is a reference to the actual crucifixion of Christ or the impact of the actual crucifixion of Christ and
Systauroō
Pronunciation – soos-tow-ro'-o
This is used only 5 times. It means to be crucified alongside of.
This is the word used in Galatians 2:20.
Another example of this is in
Matthew 27:44 “The thieves also, which were crucified with him…”
God teaches us in the Bible that we, as believers, were crucified alongside Christ. This is a truth that is expanded upon in Romans, Galatians and Colossians. Why is this important?
To be crucified with Christ means that the body of flesh in which I live, where sin and lust reside, is now dead...crucified.
To be crucified with Christ means that I am also risen with him.
To be crucified with Christ is a work or operation of God that we access through faith and belief.
Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. Jhn 6:28-29 KJV
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. Col 2:11-12 KJV
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Rom 6:6
Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Rom 6:4 KJV
So, if this is all true, why do we still struggle with our flesh? I know it says that the body of sin might be destroyed but mine seems very much alive. How does one have the self-control needed to master the beast (as Pastor Aaron referenced) when these mountains seems so big and the faith just seems so small?
Faith is a choice, not a feeling. We take our next steps in spite of our weakness.
His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
...And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect
in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of
Christ may rest upon me. 2Co 12:9 KJV
It’s during these periods of doubt that we can learn from the faith of Abraham. The facts of his circumstances were that his body was too old to father a child. Sarah’s body was too old to conceive.
Nevertheless, the scripture says in Roman 4 -
And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was
about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: He staggered
not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God
Rom 4:19-20 KJV
The Hall of Fame of faith is listed in Hebrews chapter 11. Through 40 verses, God brags
about the great faith of these believers. Their triumphs and their tragedies. Two verses in this passage stand out. Verses 13 and 39. They all died...never having received the promise upon which their faith rested.
Yes, the flesh wants to do all manners of lusts contrary to the Spirit but God says that the
body of sin has been destroyed, 2000 years ago with Jesus on the cross.
Are you choosing to believe God and walk, step by step, in God’s truth, regardless of whether or not this aligns with your experiences?
- Tony T
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