We live. We died. Our lives are hidden in Christ
our Lord.|
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We live. We died. Our lives are hidden in Christ
our Lord.
Crucified with Jesus, the believer knows his/her
life no longer belongs to self. It is resurrected from the sinner's
grave and is liberated into a new kind of slavery. We echo an
apostle's explanation, "It is no longer I who live, but 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"
(Paul, Gal. 2:20 ESV). Sin no longer shackles our souls within.
The Lord of life paid the redemption fee, and now we belong to
Him.
Because He lives, we live the ideal life. Peradventure
Christianity is a farce; the lifestyle of the godly still surpasses
the disdainful way of greed, fear and guilt. Were it untrue that
Christ rose from the dead on the third day following the crucifixion,
our hope would be considered vain; yet our inner contentment of
living righteously would decree a superior mindset. All glory
to God, Jesus did rise from the dead and with him we arise from
the watery grave to "walk in newness of life" (Romans
6:3-4). Christianity is the religion of the mind; and, it is the
only way of removing the walls of shame, behind which the ungodly
choose to hide.
The Christian is freed from the past. In the Author
and Finisher of faith, guilt evaporates and fear dissipates. Scripture
explains, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts
out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has
not been made perfect in love" (1 Jo. 4:18). Those who feel
empty within, as though there is something missing, have this
to discover. Namely, we imperfect mortals find completion only
in a solitary place. Jesus Christ.
Guilt follows thoughts or actions that violate
beliefs. The Christian is alleviated from guilt by turning to
the Lord who heals our souls. Because Jesus lives, we attain new
life.
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