© 19 Colin Melbourne
Life By The Spirit
In Part 1 we saw that the Bible phrase live by faith means far more than many assume.
More even than the great Reformer Martin Luther understood.
The written word of God is precious, but the illumination of the Holy Ghost is what we must have, otherwise the written words become dry stale bread, 2 Co. 3:6 KJV;
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
Open The Oven Father
Father, we crave your understanding of your word. Feed us The Living Bread of Heaven, otherwise we feint from hunger in this world’s wilderness of sin. Amen.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Gal. 2:20 KJV
You Have Been Crucified In Christ
First, notice the Holy Ghost is declaring a completed fact, not a process.
It is an error to assume that, becoming crucified with Christ, is a life-long travail, in the hope of attaining death to self, and life through Christ.
That is a common religious indoctrination, and it is false.
Accept the truth today, or wither in man-made religion, and be appalled at your Judgment.
The Holy Ghost declares that the believer is crucified with Christ, I am crucified with Christ.
Not; I will be, or I try to be, not; I’m working on being, but I am crucified with Christ.
Halleluia!
And that is true of every sinner who genuinely believes on Christ as LORD, and receives Him into their heart: They are instantly made new inside, their old inner man, their sinful nature, is crucified with Christ and they receive the divine nature of God, the life of the Holy Ghost makes them righteous new creatures in Christ: Done instantly.
Has that happened to you yet?
If not, or you are not certain, you can be born again right now, and begin walking in the light of God’s Word, healed, saved, and at peace with your Creator: Living by faith in The LORD Jesus Christ.
Once you accept that, the meaning of to live by faith becomes increasingly apparent.
He’s Done It All
Christ has provided a perfect redemption, He did not leave us to strain and strive reaching for a goal beyond our horizon.
Hear God’s word again, Gal. 2:20 KJV;
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Because you have received the Holy Spirit of the Living Christ, you have God’s eternal life in you.
Because you have believed on Christ: You now have His very Life in you.
Your sin nature was crucified in Him, God has set you free of all condemnation, to live with Him now, at peace on Earth doing His will.
Once you are born of God, you have that life by faith in Christ: Every true believer does.
You comprehend that you were crucified with Christ, once and for all.
You realize that the only life in you is the eternal life of God, the Holy Ghost.
You understand that this is God’s gift to you by grace, you did nothing to earn or deserve it.
Now Look at this Gospel Fact
It will seem new to many, yet it has been there ever since the written word was inspired and handed down to us, Gal. 2:20 KJV;
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Your life purpose is to walk with your Creator, continuing the works of Christ until He returns for us: Going into all the world announcing to every creature His Gospel, teaching His written word, and healing the sick. (Matt. 28, Mk. 16)
You can only accomplish that task living by faith.
Notice the faith we live by is not our faith, but the faith OF the Son of God.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith OF the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Read The Faith of Christ & why you must use a KJV
His Faith: Not Yours
Your faith in Christ won’t do the works of Christ.
Trying to do His will in your own strength is a form of spiritual pride, self-righteousness, though we don’t see it as such, but God does, and detests it, because it is self-righteousness.
Father wants us to depend totally upon Him for everything: This is living by faith.
Whatever you need to fulfil the purpose God created you for, comes by God’s grace, not by any effort of yourself; your praying, fasting, diligence, believing, obedience etc. Because if it did, it would not be by God’s grace, would it?
Indeed, can you see that it would, in effect be, denying that Christ did sufficient to accomplish His Promises to you.
Perish the thought!
He will fulfil His word, by His Spirit, by grace alone, so that no flesh can glory. 1 Co. 1:29 KJV;
That no flesh should glory in his presence.
That covers every thing required; the faith, love, authority, power, compassion, anointing, wisdom, guidance, and every practical requirement.
This Gospel basic relieves all sense of straining to do God’s Will, because even the doing of it, is by His power, His Grace, not by our strength.
So it is bound to be effortless, and sure to glorify Him.
If that is what you want you are invited to Begin Living by Faith right now… and never stop.
© 19 Colin Melbourne
