Reactions

"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. "                  Galatians 2:20.  NKJV

Our reactions are a big part of how we present ourselves to unbelievers. Think for a moment about your own reactions of late. Play the video back in your mind of what happened; what was said and how it all turned out. Be honest with yourself. Was there any room for improvement on your part? Could you speech have been more in standing of what you confess to be - a born again Christian? 

In the example that you have been remembering, you may find that you were ok and that is great. However, it may well have been the opposite. Let's dig around this and look at an example. Let's say that you were trying to park to go into a supermarket. You decide to reverse in and as you negotiate the turns, another person shoots into the space behind you. You don't notice the chap and almost reverse into his car. He blasts his horn, winds his windows down and uses some colourful language that hits you like a dart. Now, you have been driving around the car park for ages before you had noticed this one space. Now it is taken and you have a stroppy so and so standing at your door mirror.

Your reactions are not as they should be and you enter into an argument with him. He puffs himself up, showing his muscles and tattoos, makes a rude gesture with his fingers and then walks off into the shop. At this time, it may have made more sense to ignore the man and looked for another space. But no, your flesh has now taken over and you shout after him some choice words and match the finger gesture. He turns round and goes to walk back towards you but then changes his mind and walks on. By now, cars are tooting at you to move your car as it's blocking the way. This leads you to use your finger gesture again. You get in the car and people just can't help noticing that you have a large sticker on the back of the car JESUS IS LORD.

Conclusion, was you in control of this situation? - No. Could you have handled it better? - Yes..

The lesson here is that, you have been crucified with Christ, you no longer live but Christ lives in you. How would Jesus have reacted here? Would He have argued with the man, said some unpleasant words and used the finger gesture? No He wouldn't have; and deep down you know that you shouldn't have either.

I agree, it is totally difficult to not react in the flesh when the flesh attacks you but, you need to because, you are no longer in control. Jesus could have sorted this chap out for you but, you never gave Him a chance. You just went in like a bull in a china shop.

Paul's is saying here that we become so closely attached to Jesus that we die with Him and He begins to live in us. Therefore. when we align our thoughts with His and allow those thoughts to manifest themselves in the choices we make, we are living and walking to the fullest, in what Galatians 2:20 says.

So, we all need to work on our reactions. It's not being a doormat. It's not being a coward and, it's not being a pushover. It's being Jesus to whoever you meet. Why? Because: '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.' AMEN                

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:

Lord Jesus, I have sinned   

I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.

In Jesus' Name. Amen'

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard.                                

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