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May 24 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:11. Paul is explaining in this chapter of Romans that we have died with Christ at the cross and resurrected with Him to a new life. We are to meditate and consider this fact, regardless of our feelings about the matter. We often wonder if the ‘old nature’ has really been crucified, for we give credit to its survival far more than we should. Yes, the proper way is to take God at His word and regard ourselves as a whole new creation in Christ Jesus. If we do not do this we end up creating a dilemma that tries to shed doubt upon the written Word. Norman Grubb, in his excellent text, The Law of Faith (Christian Literature Crusade, 1947, p. 74), gives a remarkable way of looking upon all of this. He shows us that we are delivered out of this dilemma when we regard ourselves as a channel (I would prefer the word ‘temple’), but Christ is the Power. We are just a branch, but Christ is the vine. We are just a vessel, but Christ is the Treasure within. We are a lamp, but Christ is the light of the lamp. And finally we are a cup, but Christ is the water in the cup—(and I would add that it flows out as living water). My friends, I find release in these concepts, for in this manner we have found a way to view everything as giving praise to Christ. If only we would consider, or reckon, upon these truths as we walk through the trials and temptations of this life. Only by successfully resisting temptations and by sustaining our joy through trials can we show that we are growing in the image of Christ. I just need to keep seeing over and over again that it is not all about me. It is about Christ. I will fail at this more than I desire, but I can only pray that failure will occur less and less and my faith in Christ will triumph more and more as I go through this life. Dear Father, let me see more of how You see things. Let me see that Christ has chosen to express Himself in this earthen vessel in ways that go beyond my limited power. Let me dwell upon Your life and the life of Your Son, for it is only that life that really matters. Thank You for the ways with which You reveal Yourself. Amen.
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