Christ Lives in Me
Paul declared, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Galatians 2:20). This is the heart of consecration. The Christian life is not about adding Jesus to our plans while self remains in control. It is a life set apart for God, surrendered to His ownership and available for His purpose.
To consecrate something means to set it apart for sacred use. God told Jeremiah, “Before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). Jeremiah’s calling was personal and purposeful. In the same way your life is not a random collection of experiences. God knows you, calls you and desires to use every season of your life for His glory.
Consecration is more than an emotional moment at an altar. It is an ongoing choice to listen and obey. Paul urges us to present our bodies as “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,” which is our reasonable service (Romans 12:1). A living sacrifice must remain surrendered. We place our time, relationships, ambitions, habits, bodies, gifts, finances and future into God’s hands again and again.
That surrender requires the crucifixion of the flesh. The flesh is the self-centred nature that wants comfort without obedience, blessing without sacrifice, influence without service, and salvation without lordship. It asks, “What do I want?” before asking, “What honours God?” It protects its reputation, guards its convenience and resists anything that costs too much.
Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). The cross was not an ornament. It was an instrument of death. To follow Jesus, we must put sinful desires and selfish rule to death. Paul writes, “They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts” (Galatians 5:24).
Crucifying the flesh is not a one-time declaration. Self has a way of climbing down from the altar. Each day we choose again. We refuse bitterness and choose forgiveness. We resist pride and choose humility. We turn from impurity and pursue holiness. We surrender our schedule when someone needs care. We give when selfishness tells us to keep everything. We speak about Jesus when fear tells us to remain silent.
The carnal mind leads towards death but the spiritually minded life brings life and peace (Romans 8:6). This is not merely self-improvement. We cannot defeat the flesh through willpower alone. Paul said that he laboured according to God’s working, which worked in him mightily (Colossians 1:29). Consecration is our surrender cooperating with the power of the Holy Spirit.
We must also recognise the influences that feed selfishness. Scripture warns, “Evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Some habits, relationships, entertainment, environments or secret compromises continually pull us away from God. Consecration may require us to establish boundaries, end an ungodly practice, seek accountability or step away from an influence that weakens our devotion.
Excuses can also protect the flesh. Jeremiah pointed to his youth, and Moses pointed to his inability to speak. We may say that we are too young, too old, too busy, too inexperienced, too wounded or too ordinary. God answered Jeremiah, “Say not, I am a child,” and promised to send him and give him the words to speak (Jeremiah 1:7–9). God is not asking us to trust our adequacy. He is asking us to trust His presence and obey His call.
Consecration must become practical. James says, “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). Correct doctrine matters, but truth that never changes our conduct has not completed its work in us. Jesus said that people are known by their fruit (Matthew 7:16). If Christ lives in us His character should increasingly appear in our choices, speech, relationships, priorities and treatment of others.
Selfishness is especially destructive to the mission. The Great Commission requires us to go, teach, baptise and make disciples (Matthew 28:19–20). That takes time, patience, hospitality, generosity and inconvenience. We cannot make disciples while every decision revolves around our own comfort. The flesh asks whether ministry suits us. Consecration asks where Jesus is sending us.
Self prefers to be served but Jesus “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7). He calls us to look not only to our own interests but also to the interests of others (Philippians 2:3–5). This may mean beginning a gospel conversation, welcoming someone different, forgiving an offence, giving generously or making regular time to disciple another person.
We belong to God. “Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20). Our lives are not our private possession. Jesus purchased us with His blood. Consecration is the joyful response of saying, “Lord, everything I am belongs to You.”
When self is crucified, the life of Jesus becomes more visible. His compassion reaches through our hands. His truth is spoken through our words. His love directs our decisions. Dying to self is not the loss of our true purpose. It is how we discover it. A surrendered life becomes a powerful witness because people no longer see only our personality, preferences and ambition. They begin to see Christ living in us.
TODAY’S RESPONSE
Ask God to reveal one selfish desire, excuse, habit or personal preference that is resisting His purpose. Surrender it specifically, make one practical change, and take one obedient step in the mission today.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I belong to You. I surrender my plans, comfort, reputation, habits and future. Help me crucify the flesh and reject every selfish desire that competes with Your will. Remove my excuses, renew my mind and fill me with the power of Your Spirit. Live through me, make Your character visible and use my consecrated life to lead others towards You. In Jesus’ name, amen.