{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"33. Himself for Me","description":"Today\u2019s Scripture reading comes from Galatians 2:20, quoting from the NASB: \u201cI have been crucified with Christ; and 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 up for me.\u201d What does total commitment look like or mean to the one who has given full allegiance to God? It means much, however shifting resolve is not part of the description. Paul uttered this exceptional declaration and made it clear that obedience to Christ could reflect disloyalty to some of the practices of man, especially if they are at odds with what God is asking us to do. Paul\u2019s commitment to Christ meant he would not fluctuate between possibilities, nor flicker when faced with adversity; he would not grow weary and lose heart in the face of opposition. The committed, dutiful follower does not surrender when he draws fire for his faith. Frankly, Paul is expressing gratitude and trust in the One who first demonstrated His commitment for him. Christ\u2019s resolve and love are exhibited in Jesus giving \u201cHimself up for me.\u201d A desire to trade places with a sick loved one shows a compelling display of total commitment. However, loyalty to others should pale in comparison to what we offer the One who gave Himself up for us. \u201cI have been crucified with Christ.\u201d In his statement Paul recognizes that his sinful nature had been set aside or done away with. He embraced the fact that sin had lost its grip on him. He was a changed man. The soldier lives by the written and spoken orders of his superiors. Paul affirms, \u201cThe life I now live\u2026 I live by faith in the Son of God.\u201d In loyalty, Paul looked to Christ for courage to live by faith and to trust Him with life\u2019s difficulties. In a practical sense, Paul yielded to Jesus\u2019 \u201call in\u201d commitment and gave up attempts to be to people what God never intended him to be. He surrendered himself to Christ\u2019s love and determined to lead a life of faith. Christ was and is \u201call in.\u201d What about you? In your work, marriage, parenting\u2026how are you responding to the one who was crucified so that you could live?   \/\/ Points to Ponder Over the next week, here are 3 points to ponder during your personal time of reflection or with a small group or mentor. First, how are you living out your commitment to faith? Second, in Romans 6:6, Paul writes, \u201cI have been crucified with Christ.\u201d How does this verse express your new spiritual direction or motivation in light of Jesus\u2019 substitution for your sins? Third, to what degree is the \u201clife you now live\u201d a reflection of the immensity of Christ\u2019s generous exchange (in other words, that He gave Himself up for me)?   \/\/ About the Narrator COL Laurence Mixon, USA, a 1986 graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, retired in June 2016 after a 30-year career with the Army and transitioned to an Army Senior Executive assignment at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. He served on the OCF Council from 2011-2019 and has also been active as a local leader in OCF. He and his wife, Tracey, have 8 children.   \/\/ Purchase a Copy Call the OCF Home Office at 800-424-1984 to purchase a paperback copy of the book, or buy a Kindle version at Amazon. ","author_name":"Leader, Draw Near","author_url":"http:\/\/ldnpodcast.libsyn.com\/website","html":"