Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
I noted a post on Facebook not long ago stating, “I’m having a great day!” A little later the same person posted, “Someone just ruined my day!” How is it that we can jump on that proverbial roller coaster of emotions as we go through the day? We so quickly buy into our feelings and are tempted to believe a lie about God (He’s not trustworthy; He’s not loving…fill in your own blank). We are also tempted to believe a lie about self (I am unacceptable; I am better than everybody…fill in your own blank). The temptation is even to believe a lie about others (I need them to meet my love and acceptance needs and I’ll do anything to get those needs met! There’s a blank there, too!). We do this without realizing that we have unwittingly bought into the same lies that Adam and Eve did at The Fall of man. (Genesis 3:5 – For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing the difference between good and evil and blessing and calamity.)
In accordance with the plumb line of Scriptural Truth, these lies are based upon a feeling level with no Truth attached. We easily get caught up in emotions if we have Spiritual amnesia (we know the Truth but allow feelings to rule in the moment). This also occurs if we do not know our identity in Christ (who He says He is and who He says we are). Sometimes, we are not Biblically forgiving (releasing the offense, as well as how it made us feel, to The Lord).
Jesus exchanged His Life for ours on the cross. (Galatians 2:20) How do we live that out on a daily basis without being controlled by our feelings? It’s simple, but not easy! Simple? Yes! Invite Jesus In to the hurt, rejection, loneliness, etc. As we give those feelings to Him, we can ask Him what He wants us to have in exchange for what we have given Him. Easy? No! The lies which motivate our flesh (patterns of coping in our own strength) fight the Spirit (Truth) constantly. (Galatians 5:17 – For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.) Yielding to Christ in the moment and the act of forgiving is never based upon feelings. It is about receiving the God-given Life of Christ and His finished work on the cross while partaking of His Nature, Attributes, and Characteristics by the choice of our will, not our emotions. Our feelings should catapult us into the lap of Jesus. We can Invite Him In so as not to live by our feelings, but by Truth. The Truth is, He is our Peace, Joy, Grace, Mercy, Love. That is New Covenant living because He is the Fountain of Life.