The Way Up Is Down, Part 2
Galatians 3:29 – 4:1-9
When I came to Christ confessing my sin, I cried out for mercy and received the Holy Spirit. I was desperate for God to pull me into Himself and give me new life. I had done nothing to deserve grace, but trusted the words of Jesus, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matt 11:28-30)
With that one act of repentance, God swept me off my feet and called me His own. I knew He gave me new life, I sensed it, but struggled to believe I could hang on to it. I had it in my head that living the Christian life somehow depended on my own strength. I came to know that nothing apart from faith in Christ pleases God. Life in the Spirit does not consist of Jesus and anything. Just Jesus.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
With Jesus, the way up is down. With Him refreshing and life are found in the lowest place, at the foot of the cross where Living Water flows so freely that it covers all who find themselves there.