How May I Personally Engage in the Atonement?

Galatians 6:14

The Gospel of Jesus Christ invariably presents a matter of volition. Do I acknowledge God's judgment on sin through the Cross of Christ? Do I possess any interest in the death of Jesus? Do I desire to be associated with His death, to be completely detached from sin, worldly pursuits, and self-interest, to be so united with Jesus that I am rendered incapable of valuing anything else but Him? The significant advantage of discipleship is my ability to commit to His Cross, signifying a renunciation of sin.

Isolate yourself with Jesus and either express your desire to avoid spiritual demise or affirm your commitment to being associated with His death at any cost. Upon engaging in solid faith regarding Our Lord's sacrifice on the Cross, a supernatural identification with His death occurs, and you will possess an understanding that transcends comprehension, affirming that your "old man" is crucified with Christ. The evidence that your former self is crucified with Christ is the remarkable simplicity with which the divine life within you empowers obedience to the call of Jesus Christ.

Occasionally, Our Lord permits us to perceive our state in the absence of His influence; this serves as a validation of His assertion: “Without Me ye can do nothing.” The foundation of Christianity is a personal and fervent commitment to the Lord Jesus. We confuse the euphoria of our initial entry into the Kingdom with God's intent for our arrival; His objective is for us to comprehend the full significance of our connection with Jesus Christ.

**Galatians 6:14** (NIV): *"I shall not boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been rendered dead to me, and I to the world."*

Here are several salient issues regarding this verse:

### 1. **The Primacy of the Cross** - **Principal Focus**: The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the one valid basis for pride among Christians.

- **Utilization**: As believers, our identity and confidence should derive not from personal accomplishments, position, or worldly success, but from the completed work of Christ on the cross.

### 2. **Denunciation of Temporal Pride and Vainglory** - **Principal Focus**: Paul repudiates any form of boasting except in the crucifixion of Christ, encompassing religious achievements, social status, or any aspect that may attract personal attention.

- **Utilization**: Believers are urged to exhibit humility, renouncing all earthly honors and acknowledging that nothing surpasses the significance of knowing Christ and His crucifixion (Philippians 3:8).

### 3. **The Transformative Power of the Cross for the Believer** - **Principal Focus**: By means of the cross, the world has been rendered dead to Paul, and he to the world.

- **Utilization**: The cross represents not merely a historical occurrence but also a transformational reality that alters the believer's relationship with sin, the world, and its values. The life of the Christian is now influenced by the cross rather than by worldly aspirations and worries.

### 4. **Worldly Values Are Irrelevant to the Believer** - **Key Emphasis**: Paul's assertion, "the world has been crucified to me," indicates that the world's validation, material possessions, and aspirations no longer have influence over him.

- **Utilization**: Christians are urged to conduct themselves in a manner that demonstrates their ideals are no longer congruent with worldly ambitions such as fame, fortune, or pleasure. Their loyalty is now to the kingdom of God and the principles of the cross.

### 5. **Identification with Christ’s Suffering** - **Principal Focus**: Boasting in the cross signifies aligning oneself with the suffering of Christ—His rejection, anguish, and demise for the purpose of humanity's salvation.

- **Utilization**: A life that glorifies the cross exemplifies the humility, sacrifice, and suffering of Christ. It encourages us to engage in a profound communion with Jesus via His suffering and to accept difficulty for the advancement of the gospel.

### 6. **An Appeal for Radical Discipleship** - **Principal Focus**: The cross represents a profound dedication to follow Jesus, wherein the believer is not aligned with the world but rather mortified to it.

- **Utilization**: Authentic discipleship entails relinquishing one's ego and the desires and systems of the world. It is an appeal for a countercultural lifestyle dedicated to Christ above all other priorities.

### 7. **The Cross as the Cornerstone of Christian Identity** - **Principal Focus**: For Paul, exulting in the cross signifies the believer's authentic identity in Christ.

- **Utilization**: A Christian's value and identity derive not from external conditions or societal roles, but from their communion with Christ and the efficacy of His cross.

### 8. **The Cross as the Ultimate Equalizer** - **Primary Focus**: The cross nullifies any distinctions in which individuals may take pride, including those of ethnicity, religion, or social status.

- **Utilization**: In Christ, all differences are rendered void. The cross unifies believers from all origins, forming a singular new humanity in Him. It asserts that salvation and boasting are founded solely on God's grace, rather than human work or accomplishment.

### 9. **Triumph Over the World** - **Principal Focus**: Via the cross, Paul attains triumph over the world and its deleterious effect.

- **Utilization**: The Christian existence is characterized by triumph over worldly influences via the actions of Christ. This triumph is not a result of individual endeavor but rather the efficacy of the cross, which has already vanquished sin and death.

### 10. **The Cross as the Paramount Standard of Worth** - **Principal Focus**: All aspects of life should be evaluated in relation to the importance of Christ's sacrificial death on the cross.

- **Application**: Every endeavor, aspiration, and accomplishment in life ought to be assessed through the perspective of the cross. Nothing surpasses the benefit of knowing Christ and embodying the principles of His sacrifice.

In summary, **Galatians 6:14** calls believers to a significant reorientation of their lives, positioning the cross of Jesus Christ as their exclusive source of pride, identity, and the basis for a lifestyle that starkly contrasts with that of the world.

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