Realizing
the fact that we have died to unrighteousness and are now hidden with Christ in
God is a major victory in the spiritual warfare that we face as authentic
Believers (Colossians 2:3). The power of this union with the Trinity of God
frees us from the petty sins that used to plague us.
Regarding
our self as dead in Christ aids us in pursuing a spiritual mindset. This helps
us to understand that we are also united with Him in His power, wisdom,
discernment, and supernatural abilities. Our old, carnal nature is stripped
away, and we are slaves to righteousness now, rather than to sin (Romans
6:5-7).
Sin
no longer entices us, because we are alive to God in Christ (Romans 6:11).
Habitual sins have no stronghold over us. We can break the chains, which these
ungodly habits employed to keep us in bondage to depravity, by pursuing more
intimacy with God, His direction for healing from our traumas, and time in God's
Word.
We
view our self differently, develop fresh aspirations for our life, and
cultivate new wholesome habits. Even if we occasionally fall back under
temptation's enticements, we realize the futility of these unwholesome quests.
They lose their appeal, because of our new nature in Christ (Luke 14:26-27).
We
are dead, and Christ is alive in us. He is our whole life (Galatians 2:20;
Colossians 3:3-4). As our intimacy with God increases, this earthly existence
no longer satisfies us as much as our commitment to furthering God's Kingdom in
the earth.
We
are no longer attracted to the allurements of this realm. Paul personified a
crucified life, with Christ living in and through him. Jesus is our perfect
example of how to submit to our Heavenly Father's will, even if it hurts,
rather than to entertain worldly goals and plans (Luke 22:42).
Prayer:
Father
God, remind us that focusing on life in this earthly existence is futile. Help
us not to waste our time consumed by procuring and amassing worldly goods, fame
and fortune. Teach us how to change our focus to storing up treasures in heaven
instead (Matthew 6:19-21).
Satan
- the ruler of this world, the prince and power of the air, and the spirit at
work in those who refuse to believe in You - will stop at nothing in order to
attract us back to his pursuits, to sidetrack us from our relationship with
You, and to cripple us and make us grow weary and discouraged. Remind us that
You already set us free from his domain as objects of Your wrath, and You made
us alive in Christ and dead to sin (Ephesians 2:1-5).
Thought
for the Day:
We
are foreigners and nomads in this world; we no longer care about the pursuits
of this life, and the basis of our self-esteem is now derived from the cross of
Christ, through which worldly interests and standards are dead to us.
-
1 John 2:15; Ephesians 2:19; Galatians 6:14
