Crucified with Christ

"I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." Galatians 2:20

I do not feel I am a worthy advocate for Christ; I have sin still couched at my doorstep, and I sin or miss the mark (hamartia in Greek, an archery term). As Paul said, "For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish," Romans 7:19. Herein lies the conflict of the spiritual and natural realms.

The evil (kakon in Greek) makes us retreat in battle (jobs, society, mates, etc.) and sin (hamartia) is the result. Getting a bull's eye (truth) is the desired goal. Alēthēs/Alēthinos (adjectives indicating the type of content), alētheuō (the verb which indicates the action of dealing truly with), and alētheia (the noun that is the reality and essence of the matter) are the Greek words that portray hitting the bull's eye, or being true to the fact! Only Jesus Christ has hit the bull's eye!

Hitting the bull's eye is difficult when past training teaches us to rely on worldly goals, activities and actions (that continually change) for us to do our best; I know I'm not perfect. I have wonderful parents that trained me up to look for truth, to do "what is right" and doing it to the best of my ability. Yet, Jesus is the only person that has achieved that perfection. So now, I no longer need to rely upon my own strengths that continually let me down; I just don't know enough of the future to make all the right decisions ... except for one. I believe that God is in control! He sent His Son, Jesus Christ (who lives in us) who hit the mark for all of us! He does for all of us! Believe this one truth, and you will always have two-way access to Him!

Read John 3:33-36, Romans 7:14-25, 1Thessalonians 1:9-10 for more illumination

For my hand made all these things ...

"For my hand made all these things, thus all these things came into being," declares the LORD. "But to this one will I look, one who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who trembles at My word."

Isaiah 66:2

Everything that is created comes from God. There is nothing He did not create.

Psalm 24:1 states, "The earth is tho LORD's and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it." Isn't it comforting to know that whomever is in control of the world's governments, or leading our societies, they are stewards that have been put in charge by God. No person, no government, no "ism" (capitalism, communism, socialism) has pre-eminence over the sovereignty of God ... and we are all stewards that have a responsibility to take care of God's handiwork, God's workmanship. It's Theocracy that ultimately rules!

What God ask of us is to be humble and contrite (nakeh in Hebrew, literally meaning maimed or figuratively, dejected ... we need a Savior, after all), to be aware of our need for Him and to act accordingly. In doing such, we can enjoy life and have freedom in serving Him, knowing we are doing God's will by being wise and faithful stewards. He will richly bless those who take care of His creation. After all, everything God created is good! We must worship Him in spirit and in truth. That's what will make life so vibrant and exciting!

Read 1 Timothy 4:4-5, Psalm 50 (especially verses 6, 10-12), John 4:24

Isaiah was telling Israel this truth because they were being swayed by the commercialism of their times, and were acting as if they had a right to do what was right in their own eyes ... they were being hypocritical and not serving the LORD faithfully.