Stand Out!

I’ve known some people over the years who are standouts as far as the Christian faith goes. These men and women always seem to be rock solid Christians. Ones that never waiver, ones that you have no doubt will be in heaven. I want my life to have that testimony, don’t you?

What is it that makes these people stand out? I think it’s their selflessness. They are never concerned about themselves—just honoring Christ in ministry and in their interactions with others inside and outside the church.

The verse these selfless ones live by is Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ; and 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 up for me.”

This verse is the one to memorize. This verse is one to set as your goal and your standard of life. Can a person be saved and not live like this? I guarantee that this verse is what it means to be saved. If you live any other way than what Paul says here, you can bet that you need to test your faith and see if it is in fact a saving faith.

If you have been crucified with Christ and no longer live this means that Christ has paid for your sins and that they are no longer “known” by God! God now sees you as redeemed and righteous! The new reality is that Christ lives in you. You are a new creature being led by God. This new life is lived out by faith in the Son of God because He loved you and gave himself up for you. Because of His sacrificial life lived in obedience to God the Father, Christ has atoned for our sin through His death and resurrection.

Knowing this encourages us to live a life sold out for Him. He purchased us and redeemed us so that He might live through us. Church, we should all be standouts. We have Christ in us, we have a new heart, we are no longer slaves to sin but to righteousness. We need to be led by Him, following His selfless example, and live for the purpose for which we were saved……to glorify Him!

The way is clear: The path is narrow, but with Christ the victory is won. Stop striving in your own way. Allow God to mold you and shape you into His image as you read and obey His word. Ask Him to work through you so that your faith may grow, and the testimony of Christ will abound!