“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and
desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.
Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”
-Galatians 5:24-25 NLT
The imagery used here in this passage is really intense and gory, isn’t it? (Sometimes I think we lose sensitivity to the true nature of crucifixion because it is often immersed in tradition or religion.) It was a style of execution that involved bending limbs in unnatural positions and then forcing them to remain in place against rough hewn lumber using long, sharp metal spikes. Death did not come quickly; it was often a slow and painful process.
I don’t think Paul used this imagery by mistake when referring to the process by which Christ-followers put to death their sinful natures. We wrestle with our sins, try to pin them down and it often takes perseverance to press on until they fully die. You can anticipate this struggle when you begin it, but do not be discouraged by it! Just as Paul refers here to nailing our sinful nature to “His cross” (meaning Jesus), I want to remind you that God does not leave you alone to do this work.
Jesus overcame the cross and the grave and He can help you overcome whatever sins that have tried to enslave you. And when He ascended in Heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to lead us and walk with us through that process.
You may wonder about the results we can see after the deaths of these sins and Paul addresses that earlier in the chapter. Galatians 5:22-23 NLT says “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…”
By: Anna Williams
desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.
Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”
-Galatians 5:24-25 NLT
The imagery used here in this passage is really intense and gory, isn’t it? (Sometimes I think we lose sensitivity to the true nature of crucifixion because it is often immersed in tradition or religion.) It was a style of execution that involved bending limbs in unnatural positions and then forcing them to remain in place against rough hewn lumber using long, sharp metal spikes. Death did not come quickly; it was often a slow and painful process.
I don’t think Paul used this imagery by mistake when referring to the process by which Christ-followers put to death their sinful natures. We wrestle with our sins, try to pin them down and it often takes perseverance to press on until they fully die. You can anticipate this struggle when you begin it, but do not be discouraged by it! Just as Paul refers here to nailing our sinful nature to “His cross” (meaning Jesus), I want to remind you that God does not leave you alone to do this work.
Jesus overcame the cross and the grave and He can help you overcome whatever sins that have tried to enslave you. And when He ascended in Heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to lead us and walk with us through that process.
You may wonder about the results we can see after the deaths of these sins and Paul addresses that earlier in the chapter. Galatians 5:22-23 NLT says “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…”
By: Anna Williams
Posted in Living the Dream
Recent
Archive
2023
January
Daily PowerOur Heart MusclesBlessing Our NeighborsStay in the FightTime to ChangeWell, this is Practical!Keep it to YourselfHumility in FastingSupernatural WisdomMore of YouThese Crazy PeopleCrazy PeopleConvictionOverwhelmedAs Legitimate as Porcelain PieHunger For MoreLove the LightA Fulfillment that DeliversSatisfactionContent With What IsHow Great is Our GodEnough
February
The Goodness of GodDaring God's GoodnessParadox of GraceThe God Who Knows It AllDo Good for the Right ReasonsLet Down Your NetWhy Not Me?His Gift is FreeIntegrity Matters to GodThe Gate is NarrowDoes the End Justify the Means?Point to HimWhat is Right is Not Always EasyDying to SelfPricelessAwake, Sleeper!Sunday BurnMake Me HolyAbove All Else Put On LoveSearch Me, Lord
March
Turning EvilForgive But Not Forget?You Can Only Love God As Much...It's Not All About YouOpen HandsAre we giving God what is rightfully His?A Cheerful GiverGod is Pretty SpecificThe Known GodHumble, Not ProudJesus Changes EverythingIt is DifferentCut Me Some SlackFully KnownGood at ExhortationQuenching the SpiritGrace and TruthLife is Not FairGet Back Up AgainAllowancesOrdinary PeopleAt The Feet of JesusThe Throne of Grace
April
Hosanna!The Last StrawEyes Wide OpenSunday's ComingStay the CourseNot EnoughSpeaking BoldlyJesus is AliveDeath's StingEyes to SeeUninvitedThey're Always Together!Fruit ImpressionsToo Many TabsMessy GraceNoticed the UnnoticeableThree PromisesMutually EncouragedLife is not TriedPatiently, With Confidence
Categories
Tags
no tags
No Comments