Galatians 2:20. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
How do you experience God? The first step is to meet Him through His Son: “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). Receiving and believing in Jesus as the Christ marks the end of all your problems.
As the True Priest, Jesus broke the curse of your past: “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). You have been completely set free. You no longer need to live trapped in the old frame of your past.
The moment Jesus becomes your True Prophet, you are made a child of God. You no longer have to follow the ways of this world (Ephesians 2:2). When you enthrone Jesus as King over your life, the devil can no longer touch you (Ephesians 2:2). You no longer need to live in fear (Ephesians 2:3). The problems of the present will no longer rule over you.
Not only that, but when you leave this earthly home, God will take you to your eternal one: “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6).
This is what happens when you meet God through Christ. Salvation is the complete solution for your past, present, and future. To those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, God has given the Holy Spirit so that you may experience Him. He has made you His temple—the most secure place in the universe.
When you rely on the Spirit of Jesus and pray in His name, God works powerfully in your life. This is the difference between religion and the gospel. The moment you believe, the Holy Spirit begins His work in you, regardless of your circumstances or shortcomings. He helps you understand the gospel.
What about your sinful nature? Rest assured, the Holy Spirit is powerfully at work in you (Galatians 5:16–18). By the power of the Holy Spirit, you are renewed daily, becoming more like Jesus. It is not your effort; the Spirit Himself will accomplish it.
So be patient—you are still under construction: “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). God will mold you into a person who lives by the gospel of His grace.
Lay down your own thoughts and ways. Cast off selfish motives. Abandon legalism. These only bring confusion, discouragement, and do not glorify God. As Paul confessed in today’s Word, recognize that you no longer live, but Christ lives in you. Live by faith in Jesus—the One who loved you and gave Himself for you.
Make Jesus the Master of your life. Only then will you experience true answers to prayer. Stop worrying. Entrust everything to the Holy Spirit, the Counselor (John 14:16–17). Seek His wisdom, guidance, peace, and protection.
Most of all, ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand the Word (John 14:26–27). His work is real, and you will see the Word fulfilled in your life. The Sprit of God will tell you what is yet to come (John 16:13).
The most powerful way to experience God is to live as Christ’s witness: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
The Holy Spirit will give you power, assurance, and evidence so that you can stand firm before the world. You will not fear persecution; rather, you will change the world.
Prayer. Father, I thank You for the blessing of being with You. Experiencing You is the greatest desire of my life. I pray that Your presence would be evident in everything I say and do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.