Did you ever read a Verse of Scripture and suddenly it radiated fresh “light,” like a newly cut and polished diamond?

That just happened to me. Maybe because I only (initially) saw the first Line of today’s Text. Everyone will be familiar …

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live!” (Galatians 2:20a, meaning only the first part of the Verse.

Logically this complex Sentence is an oxymoron, a contradiction. But spiritually it is true beyond comprehension. And experientially … it is super sweet to me this morning!

If I identify with Jesus (Who is the Christ) in His Death … looks like I can also (consequently) identify with Him in His Life!

If I die to what I used to be … though this may be a process, a long and hard-fought battle … I can live as unto Christ every hour of every day!

I say “process” because Paul allows me to … “I die daily” admitted the Apostle in 1 Corinthians 15:31.

God in His glorious creation gives us a picture of this death/life Principle every year. Seasonally He does … Winter picturing death … which is soon followed by Spring with all its new Life!

And just as there was no Death like Jesus’ Death … ever; so will there be no Life like Jesus’ Life for evermore!

“Life on the highest level, plane!” That’s how one scholarly Greek teacher explained it.

“Life more abundant,” Jesus depicted it!

Just as our Lord right now is enjoying glorified, eternal Life in the Presence of His Father … so can I participate in that Life this very second.

Yes, I am, saying … JESUS LIVES IN US CHRISTIANS! Paul called this Miracle a “Mystery” in Colossians 1:17 … “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory.”

Wow!

His Death (His precious Blood) saved me.

Now His Life sustains me!

As we are more and more “made conformable” unto Jesus Death … I suspect we shall proportionately “know Him” in the Power of His Resurrection! (Philippians 3:10)

Hallelujah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Die to something today … something you choose (just as Jesus chose the Cross) … and see if God does not birth something new (very much alive) in its place!

Like this … “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live.”

Oh, the dynamite POWER of the old rugged CROSS of our dear Lord Jesus Christ!

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