“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” -Galatians 2:20
As we pursue all of the facets of revival this year, this passage of Scripture is foundational to both our understanding of revival and our identity as followers of Jesus. But I pray that, more than understanding, these words wash over you like healing waters.
A New Life by Being Crucified With Christ
“I have been crucified with Christ … .”
This is the glorious truth and proclamation of who we are in Christ! All things of my sinful nature and dead self were crucified on the cross (Romans 6:6). We have been given a new nature, a new heart, and a new spirit (Ezekiel 36:26)! He took out our stony heart and put a heart of flesh that beats with the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 9:14). We have a new spiritual DNA written into our spiritual genetic code (John 1:12-13, 1 Peter 1:23). The old has gone, and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). It’s a done deal, past tense, and both final and effective!
The sparks of revival first begin when we, as followers of Jesus, choose to die to self, surrendering our own desires, pride, and sin to the cross. It’s in the dying we find life and life in abundance.
“The call to follow Christ was a call to die. The call to discipleship and obedience has always been one to deny self, to die to one’s own ambitions and even self-preservation. Jesus has never changed the missionary call and conditions for following Him; indeed, the calling to anyone who would be His disciple is one of sacrifice and a willingness to lay down one’s life.” -Jerry Rankin, “Why Do Missionaries Go to Dangerous Places?”
The Power of Christ in Us
“… I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”
Any true revival bursting forth from our lives is not the result of human striving but the unstoppable power of Christ living through us! When a heart is fully surrendered, the Holy Spirit ignites the Word of God like a blazing fire, bringing it to life in ways the world cannot ignore. It is in this divine overflow that the very presence of Jesus transforms individuals, ignites churches, awakens communities, and shakes nations.
To challenge your thinking even further, read another excerpt from Jerry’s book: “… as long as we look on this life as home we will be caught up in its values, seeking material comforts, worrying about our future, how our investments are doing, building homes, preparing for a comfortable retirement, seeking fulfillment in things of the world. … There is something worth giving your life for, and yes, worth dying for.”
Living by Faith
“The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God … .”
It’s at the end of me that I truly live. It’s when this sanctified life gives Jesus full rule and reign that revival fires are sparked in the places where we set our feet. Revival sustains when believers walk with Jesus in faith, trusting Him for strength and direction. Faith leads to boldness in sharing the gospel, praying what Jesus is praying for cities and nations, and renewed spiritual passion is set aflame. I no longer live, but Christ lives through me, and it’s in this faith that my life is rooted and grounded and releases His Kingdom for His name’s sake.
Loving Sacrificially Like Christ
“… who loved me and gave himself for me.”
The heartbeat of revival is experiencing and responding to the overwhelming love of Christ. His sacrificial love compels believers to love God wholeheartedly and serve others passionately. We model the crucified life of Christ when we love so sacrificially. Jesus’ love for us cost Him everything. If we think we want our lives to matter for eternity, we have to wrestle with the reality that this kind of deep love for Jesus will most likely cost us everything.
A revived life, the life we pray for, will reflect Jesus’ love, power, and faithfulness and result in an eternal impact on the world around us. How I long for this to be true of me!
I close with a gripping testimony from this beloved book I have been quoting throughout this devotional.
“At Karen Watson’s funeral a friend reflected that they could tell something was happening in her life after each mission trip she went on. Finally, last year she resigned her job, sold her house, sold her car and gave away all her earthly possessions. She packed what was left in a duffle bag and headed for Iraq. Now, a year later, her friend reflected, all that was left was her duffle bag, her Bible and her devotion to Christ. Was it worth it? Karen had written in a letter [and] left it with her pastor, ‘There are no regrets. My calling is to obedience, suffering is expected, and His glory is my reward.’” -Jerry Rankin, “Why Do Missionaries Go to Dangerous Places?”
Join the Arise Movement
Women who are equipped to live boldly for the gospel are a key to unlocking movements of the gospel in the world’s spiritually darkest places. Through Arise, East-West helps women take action and follow the Holy Spirit to be bold and reach the lost. Understand your role in the Great Commission and be equipped to boldly bring the world an encounter with Jesus.
