Galatians 2:20-21 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me… The apostle had said before, that "we are justified by faith alone, and not by the works of the law;" and that a believer was crucified with Christ. Now, says he, this doctrine that I have preached unto you, is no way opposite unto our spiritual life, or unto our holiness; yet, now I live, or "nevertheless I live." I. EVERY TRUE BELIEVER, EVERY GODLY, GRACIOUS MAN, IS A LIVING MAN, lives a spiritual life, is in the state of life (John 6:40, 47, 48, 54, 55). 1. What is this spiritual life? (1) It is a supernatural perfection (Ephesians 4:18). (2) It rises from our union with Christ by the Spirit. (3) It is that supernatural perfection whereby a man is able to act, and move, and work towards God as his utmost and last end. 2. Whereby may it appear, that every godly, gracious man, is thus a living man, made partaker of this spiritual life, so as to be able to act, and move, and work towards God as his utmost end? (1) Take the life of plants and herbs, or of flowers; and what is the essential property of the vegetative life? It is to grow. So with saints; they grow in grace (Psalm 84:7; Romans 1:27; 2 Corinthians 3:18). (2) What is the essential property of the sensitive life, of the life of beasts and birds? To be sensible of good or evil suitable to it. This is found also in saints (Romans 7:23, 24). (3) What is the essential property of the life of reason? To understand, to know, and to reflect on a man's own actions. This distinguishes a man from a beast. Every godly, gracious man, especially, has this power. So, then, take the argument in the whole, and it lies thus: If a godly, gracious man have all the essential properties of those three lives, in a spiritual way and manner, then certainly he is in the state of life, and doth lead a spiritual life. 3. But how does it appear that others are not in this state of life? (1) He that believeth not is spiritually dead (John 3:36; John 5:40). (a) If we be alive indeed, and made partakers of this spiritual life, why then should we not live at a higher rate than the world do, which have none of this life? (b) If we be alive indeed, and made partakers of this spiritual life, why should our hearts run after the things of the world, so as to feed on them as our meat, to be satisfied with them? (c) If we be alive indeed, why is our communion and fellowship together no more living? A living coal warms. II. OUR JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH ALONE IS NO ENEMY, BUT A REAL FRIEND TO OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE. How comes this to pass? 1. The more a man forsakes any good thing of his own for Christ, the more Christ is engaged to give a man His good things. There is no losing in losing for Jesus Christ. 2. God never causes any man to pass under any relation, without giving him the ability needed for its duties. 3. The more a man agrees with God and the law, the more fit he is to walk with God and observe the law. 4. Faith establishes a man in the covenant of grace. (W. Bridges.) Parallel Verses KJV: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth 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. |
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