I am crucified - The world is crucified unto me!

Hello To All:

Often, we are reminded about the dangers of the world, the flesh and the devil. Sin is what separates us from God; and the world, the flesh and the devil are, seemingly, constant sources of temptation that can lead us to sin.

We should also be reminded, that those of us who belong to Jesus Christ, have the promise of victory over sin; and, for those times, when we fall back into sin, we also have the promise of forgiveness for our sins. Consider these words, from the King's Book, found written at First John 1:9-10: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."

As we continue to examine the realities of - "I am crucified with Christ" - we begin, this day, to look very closely at the most foundational, of all of the benefits of being: "crucified with Christ." That reality, being our victory, in Christ Jesus, over sin.

Our text, from First John, promises us that: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins." Forgiveness is promised when confession is made. In this we should and need to rejoice. But, many of us struggle with on-going sinful things. We cannot find the victory; and we do not understand why. We cry out to God; and, seemingly, there is no answer to our dilemma; and we continue to sin. What is it that we are missing?

What is missing, is our understanding of, and our application of, this truth that we are: "crucified with Christ." Crucifixion brings death; and death, in Christ, brings victory. Consider these words from Romans 6:7: "For he that is dead is freed from sin."

Consider, also, these words from Galatians 6:14: "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Here, once again, the transcendent reality of the cross of Jesus Christ, is laid before us. Paul, very emphatically, reminds us of this transcendent truth, when he states: "the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Please note: Paul spoke in a real time, in an at the moment condition, of his being crucified to the world. Paul had victory, because the world no longer had a hold on him. The cross of Jesus Christ, and the real time effect, and on-going reality of - "I am crucified with Christ" - had freed Paul from the influence of, and the bondage to, the sinful influence of the world.

Thus, we should also embrace this affirmation of victory over the sinful influence of the world. Moment by moment, as we submit to this great truth, that we are - "crucified with Christ" - we can then say, with Paul, that: "the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Can we say thank you Jesus? Amen and Amen and Amen!

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus