There is a struggle in the human heart for independence. The tendency of
the day is to throw off all dependence, and, with it, all submission.
“_I_ will,” “_I_ choose,” “_I_ think,” “_I_ determine,” “_I_ am
resolved,” is the self-sufficient language of these latter days. Now
such an one can never say, “To me to live is Christ.” If he say anything
it should be, “To me to live is self!” But see what a contrast there is
in the life of the believer. Turn only to one passage in Galatians.
There you find the “I” crucified; “I am crucified with Christ.” {35} But
though the “I” is crucified, there is a life that remains for
“Nevertheless I live.” And now what is the character of this abiding
life? The latter part of the verse describes it, “Yet not I, but Christ
liveth in me.” These words tell of a life of habitual dependence. It
all depends on the in-dwelling Saviour. His in-dwelling, that is life,
that is the secret of everything. But how is this indwelling realized?
How is it appropriated or experienced? It is clear that it cannot be
known by the senses. We cannot see, hear, or handle Him. We must not
look for anything material. Nor is it connected here with anything
Sacramental; but it is described as the unspeakable blessing of an
abiding faith, “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.”
We must not leave the passage without remarking two facts respecting that
love.
(1) It was shown in propitiation. St. Paul did not merely say, “Who
loved me,” but adds, “Who gave Himself for me.” There are many proofs of
His love, but the crowning act of all is propitiation. It is the ransom
paid in full that is the one hope for the captive, and the supreme
evidence of the Redeemer’s love.
(2) The love was not merely for all, but according to that passage, “for
_me_.” One individual is a mere unit in a crowd, no more than a grain of
sand in an Egyptian desert; so that it seems a very easy thing for any
one person to be lost in the multitude. But it is the office of God the
Holy Ghost to apply the work wrought out for _all_ to the special need of
_each one_.