It just dawned on me about three weeks ago that I have a “life verse!” I was
shocked, because I have always arrogantly and condescendingly laughed at those who “live by emotionally clinging to verses that make them feel good.” Lo and behold I just discovered that “I are one!”
I was in Kinston, N.C., working for DuPont Chemical, the summer before I graduated from the University of Oklahoma. As a year-old Christian, I was enthusiastically reading the Bible and memorizing Scripture verses, using the Navigators’ Scripture memory program, carrying a packet of verse cards in my pocket to work on all day. I still remember most of them, 64 years later!
However, understanding what those verses mean continues to dawn on me. Over the last 20 or so years, I have found myself understanding, quoting, reflecting on, and being changed by one particular verse, more than all the others. I see now that this verse encapsulates the various biblical components, and the areas of understanding, to equip us to fulfill the mission for which we were created—to rule over the earth as Jesus’ vice-regents (Genesis 1:26-28)!
Since I believe these truths are most crucial for me in learning how to accomplish my task of ruling, I realized this is my LIFE VERSE! It perfectly incorporates what we have been discussing these last few weeks. Here it is: . . .
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
There are four phrases in this verse that all contain the essential building blocks upon which my rule will stand:
1.) “I have been crucified with Christ” – Because God put mankind “in Christ” when He died, we died with Him.
2.) “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” – We were also raised with Him, and now reign with Him from God’s right hand. The life that I still see and experience in this sinful body in which I still temporarily exist, is not my life, but Jesus’ living in me by His Holy Holy Spirit.
3.) “And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God” – It is my utter faith in exactly what Daddy tells me in His Word, just like a little child, that makes the Holy Spirit living in and through me a reality. Faith “substantiates,” or makes real, our hope, vision, or goal (Hebrews 11:1). This is “living by faith,” or “walking in the Spirit,” which are synonymous terms.
4.) “Who loved me and gave himself for me” – The last phrase—Jesus (representing the Triune God) loves me with the agape love for me that took Him to the cross—is the foundational truth upon which my whole life-verse rests!
Living in the reality of this verse produces a natural, spontaneous, unconscious (NSU) existence! The following little story summarizes this NSU life in a nutshell. I borrowed it by permission from my good friend, John Fitts, who authors an outstanding, weekly blog called Grace Drops, in which it appeared. This blog blesses me every Monday morning. I have taken the liberty to change a few key phrases to emphasize the NSU nature of this message.
The Best Day of My Life
Author Unknown
“Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of my life, ever! There were times when I wondered if I would make it to today; but I did! And because I did I’m going to celebrate! Today, I’m going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far: the accomplishments, the many blessings, and, yes, even the hardships because they have served to make me stronger.
I realize, as I have proceeded through this day, that I am holding my head high, and I have a happy heart. I catch myself marveling at God’s seemingly simple gifts: the morning dew, the sun, the clouds, the trees, the flowers, the birds.
Today, none of these miraculous creations are escaping my notice. Today, I am discovering that I am sharing my excitement for life with other people, and they are responding and smiling back at me. Surprisingly, I find I am going out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone I don’t even know! I even caught myself giving a sincere compliment to someone who seemed down. I even told a child how special he is, and someone I love just how deeply I care for them and how much they mean to me.
Today is the day I discovered I have finally quit worrying about what I don’t have and started being grateful for all the wonderful things God has already given me. To worry is just a waste of time because I am beginning to understand that my faith in God and his Divine Plan ensures everything will be just fine. I wouldn’t be surprised if tonight, before I go to bed, I went outside and raised my eyes to the heavens and stood in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and praised God for these magnificent treasures.
As the day ends and I lay my head down on my pillow, I will find myself ending the day with thanksgiving to the Almighty for the best day of my life! I expect that I will sleep the sleep of a contented child, excited with the expectation of seeing how tomorrow will be the best day of my life, ever!”
For me, fueled by knowing my “life verse” more and more experientially every day, I am eager to attack my life’s task of ruling over the earth as God continues to show me just what that means for me!
