I am crucified with Christ

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me."   Galatians 2:20
 
 
God loves us so much that Jesus Christ hung in agony and blood for us.
 
 We are precious to God.  We are the object of God's love.  The blood of Jesus Christ was poured out on Calvary for us.  My friends, if you know all that, then you can stand up against any criticism.  It won't bother you what others say about you.  The cross sets you free.  He who died for you now lives in you.  He gave Himself for you that He might give Himself to you.  When Jesus Christ died for you, He didn't just take away your sins, He took away your  "self".  You are crucified.  So who can harm a dead man?
 
I felt the sting of criticism recently.  But I was able to remove the stinger and bathe the wound with the balm of Jesus' love.  I have given those who wounded me to the Lord.  Now I am asking God to teach me from what happened.
 
Prayer:
Lord, I thank You for Your goodness and Your mercy.  Thank You for opening my eyes to all You have done and still doing for me.  In spite of my flaws and failings, because of Your Son, Jesus' substitutionary death, I've been set free. Continue to bless me and cover me as I die daily to self in Jesus name I pray.  Amen.

By Bishop Bernard Williams