Daily Devotion | New Rocky Creek Baptist Church

The Exchanged Life

Posted on Dec 9, 2020 in Devotions |

Text: Galatians 2:20

Introduction: One of my favorite passages of Scripture is Galatians 2:20. It is a “GOLD MINE” of truth! Paul writes to the believers in Galatia, as well as to us today. One of his purposes as he was led by the Holy Spirit was to counter the legalistic views that were creeping into the Church. First, he refutes the idea that a person can be saved by works instead of “Grace Alone” thru “Faith Alone” in “Christ Alone” (Gal 2:16)……

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

Next, he debunks the idea that after being saved, one is to live by the power of the flesh (Gal 3:1, 2 ,3)

“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?”

“Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?”

“Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”

That brings us back to dissect the verse before us; namely Gal 2:20. See if you can find these five (5) HIDDEN TRUTHS:

1. We Exchange our “SINS for His DEATH” on the Cross! (Gal 2:20)

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

{Notice the last phrase “Gave himself for me” that speaks of His substitutionary, sacrificial death on the cross in my -your place}

2. We Exchange our “DEATH for His LIFE”! (Gal 2:20)

{Notice the phrase “I am crucified with Christ” that speaks out the believer’s co-crucifixion- death to self (Rom 6:6, 11)}

3. We exchange our “WORKS for His GRACE”! (Gal 2:20)

{Notice the phrase “But Christ lives in me” which speaks of Jesus Christ’s resurrection power in and available for every believer}

4. We exchange our “HATE for His LOVE”! (Gal 2:20)

{Notice the words “Loved me….and lives in me” which speaks of Christ Jesus’ great love empowering every CHRISTian}

5. We exchange our “DOUBT for His FAITH”! (Gal 2:20)

{Notice the phrase “I live by the faith of the Son of God” which speaks of godly faith imparted by the Holy Spirit}

Conclusion: The CHRISTian life is not a life of imitation, but rather participation. It is not rules and regulations, instead it is a relationship.

***First, there is the “Revelation” of Truth (Gal 2:20).
***Second, there is the “Transformation” of that truth, when appropriated -acted upon- by faith (Gal 2:20).
***Third, there is the “Manifestation” of the Truth (Gal 2:20).

What an EXCHANGED life in Christ!
May our Resurrected Lord Jesus enable us by His Holy Spirit to walk and live in this light, “Until He Comes Again”!

Love y’all,

Dr. Randy Reese