“… found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, … that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.”
Victory can only be achieved with a new life.
I can’t cling to the same old system and win, because there is no victory when I’m controlled by sin. I cannot insert God into my life and continue down the road I am on. If God is to be added, everything else must be upended.
I cannot preach about the Spirit, while I pursue the flesh. My old life must end so that Christ can live in me. That’s not just a poetic verse; it’s a requirement for redemption.
That is the issue… the conversation stops right there. I cannot walk in victory in my own shoes. I must surrender to the Lord and walk in the footsteps of my Savior.
That is the battle we fight daily… we know there is a God – but we are constantly tempted to believe it might be us. Have you settled that question? Are you ready to make Christ your Lord or are you attempting to just claim Him as Savior?
You cannot live in the power of His resurrection, until you have died to yourself completely. Either He rules your life - or you do. There is no shared leadership.
You were dead in your sin… but you have been offered the gift of new life … The question is, will you take it? Will you surrender and receive the gift – or continue to fight a losing battle with your own strength?
Do you want to know the power of His resurrection?… Then die to yourself. Do you want to learn to have joy in suffering? … then be conformed to His death and live a resurrected life.
It’s not about just acknowledging God (even demons do that). You must Love Him and place your faith in Him… Then live a new life, with new goals … Abandon the path you have been on and live each day in the power of His resurrection… with lovingly serving Him and others as your only motivation.
“The Christian’s motto should not be ‘Let go and let God’ but ‘Trust God and get going.’” - J.I. Packer
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