The Pilgrim Path---Galatians 2: 20

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

“…NO LONGER I WHO LIVE”

Jesus of Nazareth expects everything of His Followers. He says “lose your life in Mine” if you really want to live. He says “deny yourself-- take up your cross and follow Me.” Serious—right? In other words: Count the cost---If He is the greatest treasure in the universe---follow Him no matter what! By the way---none of His People ever regret giving Him their all!

The Apostle Paul tells us that we are put to death with Him--- as we are united to Him in faith believing. We are raised with Him---and He lives “in” us. Please ponder that for a while. By faith we are to live the “rest” of our days with this in mind. Our lives become all about Him (by faith= in thought, word, and deed). This takes a lifetime of discipleship. But we press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ the Son! The Holy Spirit is our Divine Enabler.

From Hugh Martin: Yes; Christ by his Spirit lives in them. By his Spirit quickens them to new and spiritual life; and by his Spirit he takes possession of them as his living temple. As a living temple, he always regards them and acts in them. Their faculties as living men---alive from the dead---He animates and controls. Whatever in their thoughts, affections, purposes, actions, is opposed to his own, he sets himself to suppress; and the faculties themselves he undertakes to sanctify---to form, mold, and guide into harmony with his own. Nay; their whole character, their very natures, as living men---spiritually living---he works by his Spirit to assimilate unto his own. So far as this work advances, the very thoughts that he thinks they think; the affections he entertains they entertain; the purposes of his mind are theirs also; his work is their work; his nature theirs. And up to the limit to which this blessed result has its onward progress been achieved, how can a better, a briefer, a more perfect expression be found for it, than to say that, to this extent---“Christ liveth in them?” It is, therefore literally and profoundly true that Christ lives in his people. It is not the random utterance of enthusiastic mysticism---but a simple fact in the kingdom of God. Christ lives in his people, by his Spirit which he has given to them…

From Charles Haddon Spurgeon: Faith lays hold upon the LORD Jesus with a firm and determined grasp. She knows his excellence and worth, and no temptation can induce her to repose her trust elsewhere; and Christ Jesus is so delighted with this heavenly grace, that He never ceases to strengthen and sustain her by the loving embrace and all-sufficient support of His sternal arms. Here, then, is established a living, sensible, and delightful union which casts forth streams of love, confidence, sympathy, complacency, and joy, whereof both the bride and bridegroom love to drink. When the soul can evidently perceive this oneness between itself and Christ, the pulse may be felt as beating for both, and the one blood as flowing through the veins of each. Then is the heart near heaven as it can be on earth and is prepared for the enjoyment of the most sublime and spiritual kind of fellowship.

From John Duncan: The buying time is past; the presenting time is future; the purging time is now.

Meanwhile on the other side of the world:

---Jaroslav Nad, Slovakia’s Defense Minister, said in an interview in the New York Times last Thursday that Putin is “equal to Hitler” for invasion of Ukraine---“Ukraine is fighting for our future.” Just over 330,000 Ukrainians have found refuge in Slovakia.

---Joseph Bodnar, researcher with the Alliance for Securing Democracy, points out that the Kremlin has become adept at using Twitter to spread disinformation about the war in Ukraine: “Now Russian officials are getting out in front of events and claiming that Ukraine is staging scenes of violence in areas where Russian troops are just starting to leave” (Bloomberg).

---Moscow sent a Diplomatic memo to Washington on Friday: “We call on the United States and its allies to stop the irresponsible militarization of Ukraine, which implies unpredictable consequences for regional and international security” (Washington Post / The Guardian).

---Mariupol, Ukraine: Mayor Vadym Boychenko told a recent press gathering that at least 21,000 people have been killed in the city since the start of the war…

---Your financial gifts to MTW for Ukraine have helped “teams” in Lviv, Ukraine-- Krakow, Poland---and within Romania and Slovakia (giving refugees food, clothes, transportation---medical resources---arranging a place to live). Money also goes directly to the 15 Evangelical Presbyterian Churches of Ukraine (and the Reformed Seminary). Reaching the churches---diaconal ministries get the support to congregants in need. Thank You for giving!

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in all the earth!” Psalm 46: 9, 10

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason