Galatians 5:24
‘And because we belong to Christ Jesus we have killed our selfish feelings and desires.’ (CEV)
The NIV sounds stronger. . . says we have ‘crucified our flesh’.
Lord, Lord, my flesh certainly don’t feel crucified at all. . its interesting that this scripture is in the past tense. We have done it already. It was done when we identified with the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, at salvation and baptism. .
But if my flesh is nailed to a cross, i certainly don’t act that way, for I am still self centered, wanting my own way more than God’s way. I’m sure you can relate.
Here’s what I think, our flesh(our human nature) has been nailed to the cross of Jesus, so to speak. Yet every time we try to indulge our selfish desires and feelings, we are actually yanking bits of our nature off the cross of Jesus, telling Him, Óh no, I want this back. Don’t kill this. From where I stand, it sure looks like I’ve succeeded in yanking huge chunks off that cross.
So I guess, a great advice for today, would be : let’s keep our selfish, self seeking human nature on the cross! Stay crucified. Today let’s agree together that we will refuse to indulge the feelings and desires of our carnal nature, instead we will focus on the nature of Christ, within every believer, choosing to nurture this through prayer, lots of God’s word and heaps of obedience.
So help us God.
Shalom