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God First, Man Second: Galatians 2:20

Each Monday I am posting a scripture and asking the simple questions; what does this say about God? What does this say about me? I am cooming to believe that the order in which we ask those questions is vital to getting the correct answers.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  ~Galatians 2:20

What this tells me about God is quite simple. God loves me. He loves me so much, in fact, that He gave His Son, Jesus, for me. I know that we're about 2 days away from seeing Christmas decirations hit the stores and there are some sweet toys out there that I want. For my kids. Really. But nothing I give or get this Christmas will compare to this gift that God has already given.

It won't. It can't.

So I know that God knows how to give great gifts. I also know that this was not a simple one-and-done kind of gift. Paul, who write Galatians, says that Christ lives in us. So apparently God is like eating Taco Bell, it's the gift that keeps on giving.

Leaving that thought quickly, let's figure out what this verse tells us about us. It certainly sounds like we die. We die by crucifixion and we no longer live, except by faith in the Jesus. Sounds pretty finite, which is probably a good thing. If I were still living, trying to help Jesus make decisions for me, it would probably be pretty obvious what came as a result of my influence. It would be something fairly similar to Leonardo da Vinci painting teh Last Supper, but allowing his kid to put the finishing touches on it...in crayon.

I guess it's a good thing it's not about me.

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