Like many of you I am somewhat skeptical of “keys to victory in the Christian life” 
or some such programs. On the other hand, I’m extremely grateful for good directions that help me — step by step — to get something important accomplished.
For example, I was glad to have the SEVENTY-TWO PAGE booklet showing me how to put together the play set for my grandchildren! True, none of the boards were marked and each had to be measured to make sure I was using the correct one for the next step, but I got it put together AFTER THREE WEEKS of following the directions!
In some ways the Christian life is a bit easier! We are looking at 
several well-known verses in Galatians 2 and asking, what truths are here that will help me live out the Christian life? Here is our text:
We have already seen the first key in verse 19 that I must have a proper relationship to the law. Paul says, “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God.” We die to the law as a way of salvation. It was never intended to be so. We die to our self-efforts at redemption.
The second key that I see this morning is that the old me is dead! We read in verse 20- “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live.” I am to so identify myself with Christ that it is as if I were on the cross with Him, not as some kind of co-redeemer, but as a criminal who couldn’t live up to the law and deserved to die! That’s what the law did for me. It showed me my sin and my need of a Savior.
Have you ever been embarrassed at a Christian funeral? I have. The believers
there were rejoicing and laughing and, well, being very unfuneral-like in their celebration of their saved loved one’s homegoing! Funerals are no laughing matter. But if the funeral is a mere step to eternal life, then . . .
Today’s challenge: Are you ready to count yourself DEAD today? The old me is gone. Crucified with Jesus. Now there’s a new me ready to . . . (to be continued)
Dr. Larry Dixon
larrydixon.wordpress.com 