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Pathways Through Paul, Vol 2
Daily Devotional
January 17
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Today's Pathway:
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Yesterday we saw what Paul meant when he said that he was dead to the Law. Now Paul writes that because he is dead to the Law he is able to be alive unto Christ. It is interesting to note that Paul does not write that because he is dead to the Law that he can now do what he pleases. As we have noted previously, that is a common criticism that is leveled against those who believe in salvation by faith alone and also against those who believe in eternal security. Instead, Paul says that he is free to live his life to the glory of God. He does not have freedom to sin, but rather he has been given freedom from sin, for it no longer has control over him. Thus, he is now able to devote himself to the Lord.
Paul has been "crucified with Christ", yet he is still alive. In fact, Paul is now more alive than he has ever been! Jesus said,
"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10),
and this is what Paul is experiencing. He then says that his life after salvation is based upon Christ living in him. What a blessed truth! Christ lives in us. The words "yet not" carry the idea of "no longer". It is no longer Paul who is running his own life. He is no longer trying to earn the favor of God He is no longer trusting in his own talents and abilities. Everything is wrapped up in, and dependent upon, Jesus. He has the indwelling Holy Spirit Who has been sent to Him by God in response to the entreaty of Christ (John 14:16). Through the Spirit he can,
"know the things that are freely given to us of God". (I Corinthians 2:12).
He is able to overcome all that the world can throw at him because
"greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (I John 4:4).
He has,
"all things that pertain unto life and godliness" (II Peter 1:3).
He has been given all these things by the One Who loved him so much that He was willing to die for him. Sometimes we forget the enormity of the love of Christ. He loved us in spite of ourselves, when we were "without strength", "ungodly", and "sinners" (Romans 5:6,8). He was willing to take the "form of a servant", and then He willingly,
"humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:7-8).
We need to remember this when difficult situations arise. It is easy to question God's love in a time of tragedy, but we should not do so. Paul spoke to this in Romans 8:32 when he wrote,
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things".
If the Lord would smite His own Son, and be pleased to bruise Him (Isaiah 53:4,10) for me, how can I ever question His love for me?
Paul did mention one thing that he did: he chose to have faith in Christ. He was willing to believe what the Bible says and live his life in accordance with that. Four different times the Bible tells us that "the just shall live by faith". Those who have been justified by trusting Christ for salvation can now live their lives by that same trust in the Lord. John told his readers,
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith".
We can trust that the Lord will never lead us in the wrong direction nor put us into a situation where He will not provide us with what we need. I have often thought about this from this perspective: I have trusted God with my eternity by accepting Jesus as my Savior. If I can have faith that He can take care of my eternity, I certainly should be able to have faith that He can take care of my tomorrow.
Pastor Mark J Montgomery
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