“I”

“I”

Paul was aware of who he was according to the flesh, and with this in mind he put all his cards on the table: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells.” Rom. 7:18. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” 1 Tim. 1:15. When Jesus revealed Himself to him, Paul received an answer to his question “Who are you, Lord?”—and he did not disobey the heavenly light and the call he received there. When he gives his personal testimony in Gal. 2:20, we see how alert and aware he was in his life: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

This “I” according to the flesh, is far removed from the servant’s mind that Jesus Christ had. Without having a decided mind, as Paul describes when he writes, “it is no longer I who live”, it is the taste of my human “I” that those around me are left with, whether at home, at work, or in the church. Paul had personally experienced that the word of the cross was the power of God and the wisdom of God. Through it he came into direct contact with God, who by His word created both heaven and earth, and set laws for everything we see in order for it all to function.

The life he now lived by faith in that power gave him great boldness in his work. “But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.” Rom. 15:29. It was by faith in the power of the cross that Paul shut off everything that arose from the old man, and this opened up the power of God and wisdom of God that came forth through his ministry. It was by this power and wisdom that Paul was crucified according to the flesh, and instead the life he had seen by the heavenly light appeared in his mortal flesh, here and now!

We sing in the chorus of song number 418 in Ways of the Lord: “Hear the call resounding: ‘Jesus has conquered. You can overcome like Him!’ If you this believe, God’s Spirit you’ll receive.” This calling, and the opportunities it gives us through the power that is at our disposal, must be laid hold of by faith. Paul’s way of dealing with the challenges he faced is clearly described in 2 Cor. 4:8-11. He always carried the dying of Jesus with him in his body. He did this so that the life of Jesus would be manifested in his mortal flesh. What an exchange—what a tremendous reward for being crucified. The glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ shone forth! When it is true that “Christ lives in me”, then virtues such as love, kindness and patience will emerge in our ministry, as well as power to rule over sin, rule over discouragement, and whatever else we might suffer from. In this way, our inner man, the new “I”, will be strengthened with power by the Spirit of God! Paul makes this so clear in his letter to the Ephesians, chapter 3 verses 14-21. We must make this conscious choice by faith in Him “who loved me and gave Himself for me” every day. All those who do so are truly begotten again “to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Pet. 1:3.

Let us, in obedience of faith to Him who loved us so dearly, practice this glorious life, in which I am crucified with Him. Then the life of Jesus will truly shine forth from us.