Basic Elements of Christianity

Living By Faith
Rev. 19(7/18)

INTRODUCTION: We are fundamentally spirit beings (Gen. 2:7, 1 Cor. 15:45a). When we committed to Christ as our Savior, becoming born again, we became truly alive (1 Cor. 15:45a, Eph. 2:5). We are now able to operate in the spirit by direction of the Holy Spirit and begin to learn many spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:11-12). We must fully realize that though we live in a physical world in this flesh, we are spirit creatures and, as such, we are part of the spiritual realm.

Just like a dog does not realize all the aspects of the world it lives in, but those aspects are very real, we live in not only a natural world, but also a spirit world that is very real. For a glimpse into the spirit world see Num. 22:22-35 (if you are reading in the KJV, "ass" is not a vulgarity but means donkey) and 2 Kings 6:13-17.

If one finds these statements odd perhaps we can understand them better by looking at a parallel in our "natural world." Let us make believe for a moment that we are a dog. We have a dog's senses, instinct, eyesight and intelligence. Our senses might tell us that someone dropped a hamburger across the street and so by instinct we want to get it. There may be a stop light to indicate when it is safe to cross the road but, unless we were trained to note the standard position of the lights, we do not know when it is safe because, like all dogs, we cannot see most colors. In regard to intelligence, we have no real idea of the fact that a vehicle could harm and even kill us.

However, what if all of a sudden our dog eyes could see colors and our intelligence increased to understand the danger? We certainly would behave better. We would be spared many of the dangers of a higher world, a world we were certainly in, but had little understanding of.

When you committed to Christ, the darkness in your understanding was removed (Eph. 4:17-18). Your spirit, once dead in sin, was redeemed and made alive in Christ.

You are a spirit creature and the spiritual realm is not fantasy, but fact — fact that has eternal results for all of us!

As we begin with this study, understand that the Holy Bible is The Word of God — we are to believe every word it says and act upon it. The Holy Bible we use should be a trustworthy translation like the New King James (We will discuss this more later). Grant it, portions of the the Holy Bible have symbols and figures of speech, which we will discuss in a later study. Suffice it for now that we are to take the Holy Bible literally whenever and wherever, considering context and that it speaks as one though it contains many books. The New Testament epistles contain much information about spiritual facts. The statements contained in them are facts, and need to be accepted as facts and not as figurative expressions.

This lesson centers on one verse: Gal. 2:20. It is a key verse in living the victorious Christian life.

Faith is needed for us to please God (Heb. 11:6, Hab. 2:4, Rom. 1:17, Gal. 3:11, Heb. 10:38). When we say "faith" we do not mean simple head or heart belief, but knowledge of what God has said, fully trusting in Him with both mind and heart, and permitting Christ to PUT IT INTO ACTION (see James 2:17) in our daily lives. Hence - Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Until we die or until Christ returns, every Christian will face temptations and trials (troubles or, in older translations, tribulation). We do not overcome all of these with our own will and strength. But we can overcome all by letting Christ live through us. I noted James 2:17 and if you read the whole context of that passage you will see that the type of faith that God requires is one of action. Now, our main text . . .

Galatians 2:20 - 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. KJV

I. "I am crucified with Christ: . . ."

Sinfulness is the opposite of holiness, and holiness is needed to see God (Heb. 12:14). Sin is displeasing to God (Jude 14-15). We are all born as sinners (Psa. 51:5), and if we are not in Christ we tend to habitually sin (Rom. 3:10. 23) because we have a sinful nature (Rom. 7:23). None of us can rescue ourselves from our own sin nature (Rom. 7:18, 24). This sin nature permeates our entire being — body, soul, and spirit (Rom. 3:12).

When we committed to Christ as our Savior, He was placed in us and us in Him (Jn. 15:4). While on the cross, Christ took our sin and sin nature (Gal. 5:24). Our sin nature was mortified (killed) on the cross of Christ (Rom. 6:6), liberating us to serve God in an acceptable way to Him. The literal Greek for "am crucified with" in Gal. 2:20 is "co-crucified"--" with Christ I have been crucified [YLT]." When one commits to Christ they are actually crucified with Him.

R. E. Howard writes¹, "When a man enters into Christ he enters into His death. He dies with Christ. This is more than a figure of speech, . . . It means that by faith a man makes Christ's death his own. The future result is that he does not face eternal death for his sins." See Rom. 6:1-11; Col. 2:12, 20; 3:3.

The immediate result of being co-crucified with Christ is that we are dead to sin. Please read the entire chapter of Romans 6 on this. We are freed from habitually sinning, and from sinning altogether. We learn to do this better and better as we continue to let Christ live in us and we in Him.

II. ". . . nevertheless I live; . . ."

As stated above, until death or the return of Christ we will face temptations and trials (troubles). Walking (living your life) in Christ is a learning process. In our own natural world, when a baby begins to walk it will stumble many times before it can walk any great length. This is much more true in the realm of the spirit. It is no doubt more difficult in that we are dealing with elements that are unseen, but nonetheless very real.

The more we read the Word and obey, the stronger we become in Him. Reading God's Word and acting upon it is part of the crucifixion process (Psa. 119:11). Our flesh does not like this, and until we reach a level of maturity in Christ, neither will our soul. Sometimes the Holy Bible can be the heaviest book in the house! Sometimes you might note in church that some people get restless the moment the Word of God is read. However, I have seen time and again in the lives of others and in myself that when we force ourselves to read it or / and hear it, and force our flesh and soul to obey it, it eventually develops the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Denying ourselves and entering into Christ's death is a daily practice (1 Cor. 15:31).

III. ". . . yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: . . ."

If we have surrendered to Christ, He actually dwells within us. This truth is often rejected by nominal Christians and non-Christians. Yet the Holy Bible specifically tells us it is so: Col. 1:27; John 17:10, 23; and 1 John 4:15 to mention a few.

We are to respect Christ within us (1 Cor. 3:16, 6:19). Our will must yield to His will. Until we reach a level of maturity in Him, not only will our flesh and soul at times oppose His will, but so will our will (Jn. 3:30). We should desire (will) to do His will: "if any one may will to do His will . . ." (Jn. 7:17a YLT).

IV. ". . . and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, . . ."

When we become born again our old sinful nature (old man) dies. The new man (Christ) lives through us (2 Cor. 5:17). We still have a will, but our will is to come in line with the will of Christ by the faith of the Son of God. YLT indicates that this should read ". . . in the faith of the Son of God," and it is translated as such in the NKJV. In a way, I liken this to a glove and a hand: the glove does not move on its own, but the hand directs the glove. Consider Christ as the Hand of God. The difference between us and the glove is that we have our own will.

By entering into the death of Christ, we are enabled to follow Christ, being made free from the law (principle of) sin and death. Col. 2:14 also shows us it would be impossible to follow Christ if we had not confessed our sin and sin nature and enter into the forgiveness of God by entering into the death of Christ.

The other side to this is that Christ went to the cross having lived victoriously over all temptation and trials (1 Pe. 1:19). As Christ takes our sin and sin nature, He gives us His victorious life. The "big" term for this is imputation. Just as our sins and sin nature were actually imputed (given) to Christ, His just standing before the Father, along with all the righteous acts He did, were actually given to us (See Jn. 1:12, and please underline this verse in your Holy Bible and memorize it). The faith we are to have to truly please God is Christ's faith which joins with ours. This is not automatic. We must will to do His will (Matt. 16:24).

Two terms throughout Holy Scripture that are used for Christ are Son of Man (Dan. 7:13, Mt. 8:20, Acts 7:56) and Son of God (Dan. 3:25, Matt. 14:33, Acts 9:20). "Son of Man" means He was 100 percent man (and, currently², few would deny that He was all human). This means Christ inside of us is well able to help us to live right (pleasing to the Father) when faced with temptation and trials and that we can grow into His personality, bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit. It also means He is very understanding and merciful, but does urge us on to maturity and disciplines us as needed.

If the term Son of Man when applied to Christ means He is all man (100 percent man), then the term "Son of God" applied to Christ means He is all (100 percent) God. This is important because God's Word is very clear that neither a mere man nor an angel would be suitable to redeem us. One reason is both humans (Psa. 49:7-9) and angels (Neh. 9:6, Col. 1:16) are infinite and not eternal. And while it is clear the angels were created before mankind was, they were still in some way affected (Heb. 9:23) by the sin of one of their own. Satan, it is recorded, rebelled against God (Isa. 14:12-15), drawing one third of the host of heaven with him (Rev. 12:3-4). So only Christ, all God and all man, could be the Way of salvation for mankind.

V. ". . . who loved me, and gave himself . . .."

Because of the love of God for mankind, Christ was veiled in flesh for our very salvation (Heb. 12:2). Looking at Philippians 2:5-11 (see to the left), this was the focus of His gracious heart and mind.

(v. 6) "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God..." — Christ, though He was God, chose not to act from His Godhood. The Greek word used here for "form" is (mor - phay). Of all the words in the Greek for our word "form," "morphay" is the strongest, indicating here the actual nature of the thing spoken of. Only a real ripe banana can have the morphay of a real ripe banana. For the plastic ones found in imitation fruit bowls or used as toys, another Greek word would have to be chosen. However, whenever something carries the genuine nature of the thing spoken about, morphay is often used. The second part of verse six shows us that in love and mercy Christ chose not to, if I may say it this way, operate from His deity.

(v. 7a) "But made himself of no reputation . . . " is literally (YLT), "but did empty himself . . .". Given what was said in verse 6, this could not be any of His exclusive attributes of deity, but, considering the context of v.7, His prerogatives as God choosing, instead, to operate as one of us. The Greek word for empty is (ehkenosen, pronounced eh-keh-know-sen), and I only mention that because there is a false teaching about the kenosis (from which ehkenosen is derived) of Christ, that He emptied Himself of His deity. No Holy Scripture supports this idea, and there is an abundance of Holy Scripture pointing to His continued deity.

VI. " . . . and gave himself for me."

The Sonship of Christ is the grace of God we need to become the sons of God³.

So often when grace (Gk. karis ,) is mentioned, it is mentioned in the sense of unmerited favor, merciful forgiveness, etc. These definitions are valid. However, grace can also mean, the liberty, empowerment and the actual ability to do what is pleasing to our heavenly Father (see actual definition by Thayer⁴ to the right). The life of Christ IS that grace. His Sonship enables us to become the sons of God. Please compare these two verses:
Luke 4:1--"And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,"
Rom. 8:14--"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."
Just as He denied His prerogative of acting upon His deity and was led by the Holy Spirit, we need to deny ourselves of our personal prerogatives and be led by His Holy Spirit.

The fact that, if we are truly committed to Christ, His righteous acts are residing in us bears repeating for two reasons: so you act upon this fact and to enable you to defend the faith. What I mean by that last thought is those who would criticize true Christianity sometimes ask if Christ is God, then why did He pray to the Father, or why did He say "My Father is greater than I?" In brief, you can respond to such inquiries by saying that when we see Christ in the Gospels, we are seeing our very salvation under construction so-to-speak. Note again what Heb. 2:10 says:
"For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings."
The Greek for the word perfect in Heb. 2:10 means complete. The sons being brought to glory are all those who are truly disciples of Christ.

Remember that Christ insisted on being baptized to "fulfill all righteousness," Matt. 3:15. This was just one act of obedience of a whole life of righteous acts that Christ did so those very acts can be within us, and flow out from us, pleasing our Father in heaven.

So, when we see Christ praying to the Father . . .
"Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name." . . . and "Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." (John 12:21-28)
. . . it was for our sake for Christ said in v.30 . . .
"This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes."
. . . that we too may pray by Christ in us.

When He said He was subordinate to the Father (John 14:28h) . . .
". . . for My Father is greater than I."
. . . it was so His act of subordination would be ours and for us to let it flow from us: See Heb. 2:10 above.

Thank you for your patience, but permit me to give you one more, among many, crucial facts for our relationship with God: He purposely became sin (2 Cor. 5:21) so that we, in Him, among other reasons, could have the proper emotion and attitude for repentance. Note Matthew 27:46 . . .

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

One might logically ask here, if Jesus was God, then, how can God forsake God? Besides fulfilling Psa. 22, He had to say and feel this for our benefit. We ought to feel a disruption in our fellowship with God when we sin.
    That is one thing, but proper attitude in repentance is another element. Christ's very attitude and emotion is ours if we let it flow through. Therefore, when we sin and then sincerely ask God to forgive us, this very attitude and emotion that Christ has is ours, and is pure, proper and acceptable to the Father.

There are many more acts of Christ's subordination and, every time we see one it was done for our benefit, and does not diminish from His deity.

Hopefully you see why God subsists as Father and as Son, and later you will see the Holy Spirit's role too. This is His inherent mercy to rescue us. The terms "Father" and "Son" should bring to our minds, based on the ancient Jewish society, the loving and respectful relationship between a father and a son.

With this in mind, and in light of the Holy Scriptures, let us draw a comparison in daily life. Most of us have something that we can program, like a VCR, microwave, computer, etc. We spirit creatures are programmable! The old program, our sin nature, needs to be replaced with the new program, Jesus Christ. Using that program will unleash His righteous acts in your life! The main difference between us and machines is that we have our own personal will. We decide how much of the "Jesus program" is going to run in us. By the way, HIS program will not crash!

The example I just gave about a computer program helps us to understand the following verses:— "The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven." — 1 Co. 15:47

"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." — Rom. 5:17-19

Thinking of what Jesus did for you, die to self and let Christ live through you, changing you from "glory to glory," and causing you to be a blessing to all!
Please see 2 Co. 3:18

Take a quiz on this very important lesson! English only.

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