Nail it to the Cross

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. – Galatians 5:25 (NIV)

Our Lord Jesus died on the cross to offer us salvation, healing, and deliverance from sin, sickness, death and all kinds of bondages. When we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, He has forgiven us all our sins and cleansed us from all our unrighteousness. We are a new creation. It is as if God had packed all our sins, transgressions and iniquities in a tight bundle, dropped it into the deep ocean and placed a sign over that spot that says: “No Fishing”.

Now that we have crossed over from the kingdom of darkness into His marvelous light, we are no longer condemned. Do not believe the devil’s lies. As we grow in our spiritual life, we will continue to experience ups and downs in life. We will continue to falter and sin against God, others and ourselves. But as long as we continue to abide in Jesus and allow Him to shape our lives, like clay in the potter’s hands, He will strengthen us and complete the good work that He has begun in us. Because of that, we can live each day confidently and purposefully under the shadow of His wings without any condemnation.

What does God say about this?

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 (NIV)

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:1 (NIV)

Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

What does this mean for practical living?

We are God’s chosen people. We are a royal priesthood. We are His sheep. There is no turning back to our old ways. We are no longer dead in sin. The Holy Spirit has entered into our lives to quicken us and made us alive in Him. His own presence resides in us in full power. In fact, that same power that raised Jesus from the dead now lives in each of us 100%! That power can save the lost from eternal damnation, heal the sick, deliver the demon-possessed and break the chains of those in bondage to sin.

We need to live each day as a new day and rejoice in it. If we are tempted by the devil or our selfish desires, reject them and command them to flee in the name of Jesus. If we are tempted to wallow in our past sins and regrets, ask God to take our thoughts captive and fill our minds with His Word. Keep short accounts with God. Establish a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit, who is our Senior Partner. His job is to empower us, reveal God’s will to us and guide us into all truth. God has not given us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and a sound mind. Do not look back. Look ahead.

Reflect and respond to God’s Word

• What are some “old” things in your pre-Christian days that the devil is digging up and using them to condemn you? Nail them to the cross and walk away a free man.
• What do you need to do to overcome the wiles and flaming arrows of the evil one aimed at dragging you down into self-condemnation?
• Choose a buddy with whom you can share your personal struggles. Pray for one another and check in with each other during the week to provide encouragement.