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We Die So We Can Live

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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

Can you imagine how pleased the Lord would be if we lived the verse above? Paul is stating that he no longer lives to his sinful, worldly desires but his life is guided by Christ. Satan has many people thinking when they become a Christian they will be a slave to Christ, losing their freedom. This is a lie from Satan because when we surrender our lives to the Lord we are in control and we are free in Christ. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)

Dying to self is a process that requires renewing the mind and changing the heart, a mind and heart changed to reflect Jesus. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.(Romans 12:2) As our minds renew and our hearts change, we slowly die to self, our sinful ways, and we seek guidance by the indwelling Spirit.

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:8) When we walk following the Spirit, we soon experience the goodness of the Lord and his blessings, and this draws us closer to him and his ways. We walk in the Spirit with a heart of love with Godly wisdom, strength and security; all received from Christ. Fear, anger, insecurity, loneliness, pride in self, worry, and anything else Satan tries to feed our minds and hearts, disappear because of God’s love in our hearts. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, (1 John 4:18) Fear from Satan diminishes as God’s love increases in our hearts. It is impossible to have Satan’s fear filling our hearts and at the same time our hearts filling with God’s perfect love. And when our hearts are filled with love, we have the power to overcome all the things of Satan.

Today fill your mind with God’s love and see the freedom when following the Lord’s good, pleasing and perfect will. Seek to follow the Spirit reflecting the Lord’s love and compassion with a patient heart. Today walk in peace and joy, and live this day to the fullest in Christ. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)

Prayer: Lord, help me to die to self and live for Christ. Keep renewing my mind and changing my heart to reflect Jesus to the World with love, compassion, courage, and wisdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen