Galatians 2:19-21What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn’t work. So I quit being a “law man” so that I could be God’s man. Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him.Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.Many days I find myself working hard to please God or please man. I like to help people. I like people to be happy. But that isn’t my job. My job is to do what God has me do.Lord, please forgive me for trying to please you through my own efforts. Help me to quit being tied to rules and traditions. Help me not to focus on what I need to do or not to do to be your disciple. Help me to focus on you.Show me how to live life your way. Make my life not mine but a life lived by faith in Jesus. Help me to identify myself completely with you. Make my ego not the center of my life. Help it not to be important that I appear righteous before men or before you.Live in me. Live through me. Help this day be yours.
