Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Discipleship
Galatians 2:1-20
Vs. 19 "......I have been crucified with Christ; 20 and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me".
             Christian Life is not a religion but a way of life. Most of the time we wrongly perceive it as a religion but Jesus presented it as a way of life. Gal. 2: 20 raise three fundamental requirements for being a disciple of Christ.
 1. I am crucified with Christ 
It means the death of the old self. Paul in 2 Cor. 5:17 say: Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come.
 So what does it mean, the old has gone, the new has come. We are new, justified by Christ’s death on the Cross, his once and for all sacrifice: Christ died as a substitute for us. He paid the penalty on our behalf.
 Therefore there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1). Along with it demands a new life style or renewed life in Christ. We should no longer slaves to sin.
 Why because we are new creation in Christ as the temple of God so that the Holy Spirit is going to live in our lives. “For we know that our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body of sin might be done away with that we should no longer be slaves to sin” (Rom.6:5-8). Christ died not only for saving us but also for having a new life in Him.
 The choice is yours, whether you want to have your heart transformed or not. We are supposed to make our life in order according to the order of Christ. 
 2. Christ Living in Us
This is a relationship that we live in Christ. As we see in John 15 “If we love Christ we will abide in Him”.
 Jesus was giving the image of Vine and branches here. He is the Vine and we are the branches and close relationship that every believer should have. The vine provides all the nourishment for the branches to bear fruit. And when we abide in Him, he lives in us.
 Then he goes on telling how we can remain in love. He says that by obeying his commands and again he reminds us that to remain in him by loving others. 
 3. New Life in Christ.
 The new life is not for our selfish motives but for our God’s glory. Christ has offered his life to the will of God for our sake.
 As the John the Baptist said we must become less and Christ must become greater. God has created us for his glory. The church is called for his glory. Church is called to express and proclaim the new life in Christ to the world. If we have life in Christ it will be active and fruitful. 
 PRAYER
Father God, please guide us to continue to serve as your disciples in this world.  Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”  
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Mrs. Lincy Issac Parampottil, St. John's MTC, NY

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