Galatians

I was studying Galatians 5 yesterday and listening to a commentary by Dr. Chuck Missler. He mentioned something that I had not heard before.

Basically, the power to overcome our flesh with its desires and passions has ALREADY been given to us.  And I guess that makes sense.  Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ...", it does NOT say, "I am being crucified with Christ."   Your sinful nature was ALREADY crucified, you have been given a new nature.   Just as we WERE healed by Jesus' stripes (I Peter 2:24).  These are past tense things, all you have to do now is lay hold of them by faith and walk (obey/action) in them.

So rather than crying out ot God to help you with strongholds, temptations, and fleshly desires, realize that He has ALREADY done it!  Confess that you are a NEW creature, old things HAVE passed away, behold all things are NEW! (II Cor. 5:17)  Confess that you HAVE BEEN crucified with Christ and it is no longer you who live, but Christ that lives in you! (Gal. 2:20)  Confess that you WALK in the Spirit (this is a moment-by-moment thing) and you do NOT fulfill the lust of the flesh! (Gal. 5:16)   It is already done, it is settled.  If we don't continually lay hold of this truth we fall into the trap of legalism and we will try to secure victory by our own efforts.  This always fails.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. (Rom. 10:17)  The more you read the Word and hear the Word, the stronger your faith grows AND remember--faith without works is dead, so be a doer of the Word as well as a hearer! (James 1:22)  WALK in the Spirit and you will see the fruit of the Spirit! (Gal. 5:22-23)  Rest in the fact that your old, sinful nature HAS ALREADY BEEN crucified and no longer keeps you in chains!