«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» (Galatians 2:20).
WHAT DOES THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL CONSIST OF? In God’s ability to transform a sinner’s life so completely that he becomes «a new creature.»
The distinctive characteristic of that new life, according to what the apostle writes in Galatians 2:20, is that there is not only a death in the person who has been transformed by the power of the gospel, but also a new life. There is death to sin, to a self-centered life, and to attempts to obtain Gods favor based on good works. But, most of all, there is a new life: Christ’s life, manifested in us, and through us, thanks to the power of His Holy Spirit. And we already know how the Lord’s life was!
Isn’t that wonderful? We are dead to evil, but alive—very much alive—to do good. As the Bible says, «He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it» (1 Peter 3:10, 11).
Some time ago in a book by Gordon MacDonald, I read an old legend that illustrates this concept. The author says that many years ago, two men in England were sent to jail for stealing sheep. When they were set free, the judge made sure the letter S (for sheep) was placed on their foreheads so that nobody would forget their crime.
The story goes that one of the thieves was never seen again in his community, but the other one, having repented of his offense, devoted his life to God by tending to the sick, helping those in need, and helping out in emergencies. The man’s life changed so radically that, after several years, nobody spoke of his crime anymore, but of his kindness.
One day, when two children saw the man, who was old by then, passing by, one of them asked the other why the kind man had an S on his forehead.
«I’m not sure,» the other boy replied, «but based on what my mother says about him, I believe the S stands for «Saint.»
Steps to Christ explains it well: «When Christ abides in the heart, the whole nature is transformed. «—ch. 8, p. 73. The whole nature! Evil is left behind! We are new creatures in Christ Jesus!
Thank You, dear God, for erasing my past.
Thank You because I am a new creature. Now I want to live to glorify Your name.
#AdultsDevotional
#RadioJovenAdventista
#MeditacionesDiarias
Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2022
“GREAT IS OUR GOD!”
From: FERNANDO ZABALA
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate
