Sadness
Something Must Die – Part 1

Scripture Reading: Galatians 2:15-21

Key Verse: Galatians 2:20

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Our key verse for today speaks of a death, a crucifixion. It reminds us that something must and will die in this life. If a person persists in their sins, they will die in their sins and be eternally separated from God; the Bible calls this death the “second death.”

Believers choose to die to their sinful nature and find life in Christ. However, though the result of this death is eternal life with God, it still brings sadness in this life. It’s a sadness of the flesh, when our cravings are denied. It’s a sadness in our human emotions when it feels like we are losing out because we refuse to fight like those who don’t walk with Christ. Believers, even in their sadness, know they are going to be rewarded greatly, so we persevere.

What did Paul mean when he wrote, “My old self has been crucified with Christ”? The apostle was describing the decision to allow Christ to rule over his life. To crucify the flesh (the old self) is to decide that our wants and desires will no longer be the number one authority in our lives. To allow the Spirit of God to direct our lives means that our desires take a back seat to God’s desires. Our flesh has been used to being satisfied whenever it craves something. When it no longer gets its way, sadness comes; a disappointment that the immediate craving isn’t being satisfied. (Continued)

Father, I chose to be sad at times in order to find real joy in this life in you. Grant me the strength to be faithful. In Jesus’ name, amen.