“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).

Is Jesus Lord of your life? Do you long for victory over sinful deeds and thoughts, over anxiety, insecurity or pride? God has provided joy, peace, assurance and victory for you.

In Romans 7:24 the apostle Paul cried out in despair, “I wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” In the next verse he gave the answer, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” God did not intend defeat for us. “Now thanks be to God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Men of God such as George Muller, Hudson Taylor and Andrew Murray entered into this life of victory and so can we.

THE KEY

When Christ was crucified, He bore the guilt and penalty for our sins, and at the same time provided a way for us to have freedom from the power of sin. Our old carnal man, the adamic nature, causes our downfall, so it must be dealt with. Thank God, this has already been done, but we must claim it.

At the crucifixion we were … judicially [and spiritually] crucified with Him. Therefore, we are dead to sin [freed from sin’s authority]. Read and re-read Romans 6:1-11. . .

[“…For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with [rendered inoperative], that we should no longer be slaves of sin…For the death that He [Jesus] died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord…” NKJV]

F.J. Huegel, in his book Bone of His Bone, says that from God’s viewpoint it was completed long ago, yet from the human view, it was held in trust for us, only to become effective upon the exercise of our faith. The apostle calls it ‘reckoning’ [Rom. 6:11].

If you really desire victory, ask God to help you to renounce and repent of all wrong deeds and thoughts. Deal with them either collectively or one by one if necessary. [“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” 2 Cor. 7:1 NKJV]. Claim the crucifixion of the flesh with all of its affections and lusts [i.e. that the flesh has no authority over you, Gal. 5:24]. Reckon it to be so. Take it by faith. Dwell upon this truth until it becomes a reality in your life. If you fail, do not give up. Each time you gain a victory you become stronger.

ALIVE TO GOD

Having reckoned yourself dead to sin, now reckon yourself alive unto God.  As you were identified with Christ in His death, so be identified with Him in His resurrection. “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17).

The resurrected, victorious life is brought to full fruition by the power of the Holy Spirit.

• Romans chapter 6 introduces the key to victory;
• Romans chapter 7 shows victory hindered;
• Romans chapter 8 reveals victory fulfilled.

The Spirit is mentioned 19 times in chapter 8. Verse 2 states, “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”

Let us be filled with the Spirit, and in so doing mortify the deeds of the flesh [Eph. 5:18; Rom. 8:13]. If we follow the scriptural instruction to reckon ourselves dead indeed unto sin, and at the same time continually open our lives to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit will put the carnal nature [the flesh] into a state of crucifixion, rendering it powerless [Gal. 5:16].

Christ is the vine and we are the branches (John 15:1-8). As we abide in Him, His life flows in and through us to bring forth the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23). Self works can never produce the victorious life. By faith we are partakers of His divine nature and power.

“This is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith” (1 John 5:4).

Content in parentheses added – J.B.W.

To compare the definitions of key theological terms, check our glossary at https://gracenotebook.com/definitions/.