Crucified!

Crucified!

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24 NIV

Context and Charge:

Today's extract speaks to a particular set of people, not the crowd. It identifies and defines the expectation of God for this particular set of people. It speaks about their earthly and eternal impact and relevance. It is therefore very important that I know who these people are, and why there is the demand from them. If I would walk in that path, I need to know what the expectations are. The set of people referred to in today's verse is: those who belong to Christ. This class is quite distinct; there is no doubt as to their total allegiance to Christ. 

There is no mixed messaging, no identity crisis. These people have sat down and counted the cost of following Jesus and have made up their minds that they would walk the path. They have forsaken the way of the world and pitched their tents with Christ. This is a decision all of us must make at some point in our lives: what would I do with Jesus? Belonging to Christ leaves no room for any other lord or master. Belonging to Christ is a full-time role, not one you do only when it is convenient. 

Conviction and Conclusion:

I note that there has to be a putting off of something so as to reflect who I belong to. Jesus takes me as I am when I come, but he does not leave me the same way I come to him. It is a realisation of my helplessness that draws me to him, and I make up my mind to forsake sin and follow him daily. That decision is the key to the putting off of the old man, the flesh, with its passions and desires. Let no man be deceived: by myself or by strength of personal conviction alone, I cannot deal with the flesh. It is older and smarter than me, and that is why I can only deal with the flesh with the power and help of the One who has conquered sin and death. 

Surrender to Jesus is the key. You don't do it once and go to sleep; you must keep standing in that victory on a daily basis. The flesh has demands that want feeding and attention. Christ also has needs that must be fed: know God more through his word, speak to him regularly in prayer and being a witness to others about the power of God. Whatever one you feed grows; that is the place of personal responsibility. Ownership indeed defines passions, purpose and pursuits. It is to be crucified, practically put to death, not pampered or allowed to fester. God's time of favour is here.