Dead But Alive!

Galatians 2 : 20 (NKJV)
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

This verse was instilled in the Swallow's heart, and that of fellow workers of the Lord, at their annual retreat held on the first day of this year.  The speaker reminded them that a Christian is one who lives outside himself ie he is in Christ.

The Christian worker's prime qualification is his position in Christ.  Positionally, a Christian has been made right before the Lord God by the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Once saved, always saved.  Practically, however, the dying of self is a day-to-day thing...and this, the Swallow (and most believers in Christ) will confess is the most difficult part.  The sinful nature is still within, and the dying of self is a daily struggle.

A Christian is like a runner in a race.  The runner has to, after signing up for the race, train his body to take the physical, mental and emotional demands made upon it.  He may have to forgo eating his favourite food, or avoid unnecessary physical stress on his body.  He will need to ensure that he gets adequate rest, and this may cause his social life to be on a limbo.  He has to deny self and focus on the race.
How does one move forward?  How does a Christian advance in his walk with the Lord Jesus Christ?  The speaker gave this interesting picture...in order for a person to advance, he has to make two moves - move his left leg forward, followed by his right leg (or vice versa).  If one moves only a leg, he remains at the same position.  Thus for the Christian, to advance in his race to follow after the Lord Jesus Christ, he has to make two moves - deny himself, and take up your cross - again and again.

Matthew 16 : 24 - 25 (NKJV)
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."

Yes, there is a constant struggle within.  Moreso when one truly desires to love the Lord with all his heart, soul, mind and strength. Self is always seeking to sit on the throne where the Lord God should be sitting instead.  Self is always seeking to glorify itself, "See? You can do it. Just believe in yourself." Self is always seeking to gratify itself, "Why are you working so hard? You need some time off. Take time to find yourself.  Why give way to others?  You have needs too.  Don't let others take advantage of you."  Such questions and statements creep into one's life on a regular basis.

Yet, that is what denial of self is.  Just look at the Lord Jesus Christ.  2 Corinthians 5 : 21 (NKJV), "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

One of the Swallow's friends shared that whenever she prays for patience with her young ones, her young ones would be sure to 'act up' the next few days.  Similarly, when the Swallow asks for wisdom from the Lord God, more often than not there would be challenges strewn along her path to find God's wisdom.  Does that mean one should stop praying for such virtues?

Of course not!  A runner does not stop his training if his goal is to reach the finishing line in style.  So too the Christian.  The thorns in a Christian's life is his training ground.  Just like the apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 12 : 8, who pleaded with the Lord three times that the thorn in his flesh depart from him, there will be thorns in a believer's life.  Yet Paul went on to write in verse 9 and 10, 'And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."  Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.'  And this same grace will be sufficient for the Swallow and others with thorns in their flesh.

With these insights fresh in her thoughts, followed by her personal reflections, may the Swallow and all believers of the Lord Jesus Christ continue to advance in their walk to follow after Him.  May He be the central figure in their lives - the One who will sit upon the throne in their lives.  May they hold on to this precious promise...

2 Corinthians 4 : 7 - 12 (NKJV)
But we have this treasure in earthern vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.  We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed - always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

May the Lord Jesus use these vessels to glorify Him, and Him alone!