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No, you are never alone. For He died, rose again, and is with you and life is worth living, just because the Lord lives. His eye of favor is upon you, to bless you according to His promise. [Deuteronomy 11:12] So it was with Noah, who was led to reverence and responsibility concerning the salvation of his household in response to God’s favor. [Genesis 6:8] By faith, Noah built an ark just as the Lord instructed him, and he and his family were kept safe when the great flood came while the rest of creation perished. [Hebrews 11:7]
Life Built Upon the Rock:
Now, you are called to build your life as the wise man did upon the rock, Christ Jesus, the cornerstone. When the challenges of life come, as they surely will in this fallen world, you will stand firm and not collapse like a house built on sand. The fundamental principle remains: by the Word of His grace, which is new every morning, your life is shaped by Scripture so that you may serve God.
Regeneration Through Renewal of the Mind:
God saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. [Titus 3:5] This is not merely a behavioral change, but a new birth a transformation of your inner being through the resurrection power of God within you. It is a change reflected in your conduct and actions.
The good news is this:
Christ accomplished it all at Calvary. He is the risen Lord who empowers you to live as a new creation in Him.
Before and After:
At one time, we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived, and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. [Titus 3:3] This was the state of our hearts before we were saved—slaves to all that is sinful within us. This applies to all of us before the grace of God, through faith, saved us.
A New Start in Life:
The truth that must take deep root within you is this: He has saved you and given you a new start in life. As Paul wrote to the Ephesians describing their former condition, which applies even to us he said we were under the influence of the evil one and the systems of this world. In our context, it could be something like the caste system, which holds people captive from birth, creating walls of separation and division that breed enmity rather than growth. [Ephesians 2:3] But in God’s kingdom, you are no longer bound to systems you are connected to a person: Jesus Christ.
How We Used to Live:
All of us lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. [Ephesians 2:3] This benefited the devil, because there was no time in our lives to think about God. When God is in your life, the devil has no place. Yet even as Christians, our focus can still be self-centered prayer may become a list of suggestions to God about how He should work in our lives.
“Not My Will, But Thine”:
Prayer, however, is also about listening to God knowing what He wants you to do. Receiving Christ as Lord means being crucified with Him. It is no longer you, but Christ who lives in you. Though it may be painful, your prayer must be, “Not my will, but Thine be done,” even as Christ prayed. Yet, after praying, we can still be drawn to our own desires. In our own strength, it is not possible.
Depending on the Resurrection Power:
That is why we must fully depend on the resurrection power of God. King Solomon had everything he could desire under the sun but found it all to be meaningless, like chasing the wind. [Ecclesiastes 2:11] That’s how life was for us until Christ entered in and began to transform us. Yet the choice to invite Him in lies with you. Both thieves were at the same distance from the crucified Savior, but only one repented and was saved. When you turn to Him, He keeps His eye on you to watch over you. This is why He died and rose again: to live in you.
Lord of Your Whole Being:
When Christ becomes Lord over every aspect of your life, the devil has no place. He must be Lord of all your heart, mind, soul, and body. Then you truly belong to Him. He becomes your new life and your new way of living. When you give your all to Him and can say, “It is no longer I, but Christ who lives in me,” you will also be able to declare, like the apostle Paul, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” [Philippians 4:13]
“No Longer I, But Christ”:
Let this be the song of your heart: that Christ would dwell in you as Lord, so that it is no longer you, but Him now and forever.
Prayer:
Father, we thank You. That by Your grace and the faith You’ve given us, it is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us to face every challenge in our lives even now. May the truth of Your Word take deep root in us and bear fruit for Your glory. In the name of Christ Jesus, Amen.
