I.
Crucifixion - "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I
live;"
A. Our
crucifixion, as does all death, involves a separation.
1.
Separation from past beliefs and ambitions – Colossians 3:1-3.
2.
Separation from sin – Romans 6:2.
B. Our
crucifixion involves a burial.
1.
Buried in baptism – Romans 6:4.
2.
Burial symbolizes the end of a life.
II.
Characterization – "yet, not I, but Christ liveth in me:"
A.
Christ becomes our purpose for living.
1.
When we are buried with Christ in baptism, we rise to walk in newness of
life – Romans 6:4.
2. We
are to let our light shine so others may see our good works and glorify
our Father in heaven – Matthew 5:14-16.
B.
Christ becomes our pattern for living.
1. We,
like Christ, are to be about our Father’s business – Luke 2:49
2. We
like Christ, are to do those things that please our Father – John 8:29.
III.
Causation – "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."
Consider John 10:18, John 15:13, Romans 5:6-8, I John 4:19.
A. We
live in the flesh.
1. Our
physical bodies are described as "earthly houses" – II
Corinthians 5:1.
2.
Paul’s words, "I now live" remind us of the brevity of
life – James 4:13-15.
B. We
live by the faith.
1. To
live by the faith is to live as Christ directed, by the system of the
faith – II Timothy 4:7.
2. ASV
rendering – "I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of
God." See II Corinthians 5:7.
