Jesus Lives in Believers
John 15:1-5; Romans 6:1-7; Galatians 2:19b-21
Somewhere around the mid 1700s, Christopher Wiles was born. In our Wiles’ family history book, he is the oldest ancestor traceable without help from a professional genealogist. Because he was born and later married, I’m alive. And traits of my ancestors follow me. You can line up a handful of Wiles and immediately notice the resemblances.
Living the Christian life is similar. Though we don’t share Jesus’ physical traits, we do share His spiritual traits, which are far more essential.
Believers are crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:19b-21). Crucifixion was a cruel form of punishment but didn’t affect any vital organs. Death came slowly and agonizingly. No matter how it happens, dead is dead – and Jesus was.
When we accept Christ as Savior through the free forgiveness of our sins, His death becomes ours. We are crucified with Him, yet we live. As Jesus hung on the cross paying for the world’s sins, we hung with Him.
Connecting to God by faith allows us to experience the crucifixion’s benefits. No longer do we live for ourselves and our selfish desires but for God (v. 20). Before Christ, life is directed inward; after Christ, it focuses outward. Examining our actions should provide evidence of new life in Christ.
Not only are we crucified with Christ but we are also raised with Him (Romans 6:1-7). As the resurrection was God’s stamp of approval on Jesus’ work on the cross, so our resurrection with Him currently delivers us from a life of sin. We are “no longer – enslaved to sin (v. 6). Since we are joined with Jesus in the resurrection, we can “walk in a new way of life” (v. 4).
Everyone, to a degree, is a product of their past. Parents and grandparents instill certain values in their offspring. Traditions are passed along. Childhood messages delivered by parents, teachers and other significant persons are recorded in the mind.
Early experiences have monumental affects on our self esteem, but in Christ we don’t have to be or remain prisoners of our past. Regardless of negative messages heard in childhood or sinful behavior we’re ashamed of, Christ renews the mind and wipes the slate clean. Temptations continue, but Christ empowers us to victory.
Believers are also positioned to produce fruit (John 15:1-5). And not just fruit – but much fruit (v. 5). God prunes by allowing or initiating trials, but His goal is that we produce even more fruit. The source of the “pruning” is not as important as our response. Asking God what He is teaching ensures we get the most benefit from the experience.
Wiles– Lessons in the BSL series for the spring quarter are being written by Martin Wiles, pastor of First Baptist Church, Harleyville, and author of three books, including the recently published “Grace Greater Than Sin.”