Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me…”
The other day I was talking with a group of Christians and shared with them the fact that accepting Jesus would indeed save their souls but it would not save them from “stupid.” I got a mixed response from that statement and I could tell I had provoked some thought and reflection.
How many Christians do you know that still do stupid things? I don’t have to look too far to answer that question…as the guy typing this blog has done some unbelievably stupid things while professing to be a Christian.
I’m not saying Christians will be perfect as we will always have a “stupid” moment here and there, but as followers of Christ we have a responsibility to love God and to love others in all we do and that is impossible for me unless I am letting Christ run the show for me.
As Christians the fruit we receive from the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control-Galatians 5:22) is not for us to keep but it is for us to give to others in representation of what a life run by Christ looks like. There is a tremendous amount of freedom gained and stupidity lost once we decide to die to ourselves and have Christ live through us.
Dieing to self and allowing Christ to live through us is a step by step process that does not happen overnight. It takes daily prayer and scripture reading which is best done first thing in the morning…the days I put it off until noon are days I play “stupid” for the first 3 or 4 hours of my day. It takes interaction with other people who are trying to do the same thing. It takes boundaries to stay away from the old spaces, faces and places that take us back to “stupid.” For many people it takes the 12 Steps to clear away the wreckage of the past in order to make room and replace “stupid” with Christ. NONE OF THIS IS ONE AND DONE…it is a daily walk.
Who is living inside you today and what kind of fruit are you producing? Is the fruit attractive or is it “stupid?” Â
“Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk your steps will not be hampered; when you run you will not stumble.” (Proverbs 4:10-12 NIV).
P.E.A.C.E.
