Galatians 2:20b (NKJV) but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
When we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we begin to live by faith that God has given us a new life—we are a new creation in Christ, created in holiness and righteousness.
Romans 8:11 (NKJV) But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
We have risen to a new life. We live this new life through faith in Christ. If Christ lives in us, he gives us a new desire to live a godly and holy life. He has also empowered us through the Holy Spirit’s presence within us. A believer is to walk by faith as a new creature. When Christ lives in us, we have the fruit of the Holy Spirit—love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22).
The first step to a happy marriage is always Jesus Christ. He is our reference for love. Therefore, the greatest gift you can give your spouse is to reflect Christ in your relationship. Live the Christian life from the inside out, not from the outside in. Christianity is not about rules and performances, but through Christ living in us, which gives us unlimited resources, the fruit and power of the Holy Spirit, to live out the new life.
Romans 8:13 (NKJV) For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Therefore, live by faith that God has made you a new creation, created in righteousness and holiness. Christ lives in you, enabling you to live from the inside out. It is totally different from a legalistic life. It is not about methods but about a life from within—a new life from a new heart given by God.
We need to remember that our old man has been crucified with Christ and buried with Him. The old man, who is easily angered and offended, highly critical, sharp-tongued, negative, individualistic, and is given to foolish talk and gossip, is dead!
We have been resurrected with Christ into a new life, with a new nature—the nature of God, and He has given us precious promises pertaining to godliness.
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you reacting as the “old man”? How is God inviting you to allow Christ within you to transform your thoughts, words, and actions?
Sermon Series： Legalism or Life in Christ
活出由内而外的生命
加拉太书 2:20 我已经与基督同钉十字架，现在活着的不再是我，乃是基督在我里面活着。并且我如今在肉身活着，是因信神的儿子而活，他是爱我，为我舍己。
当我们相信耶稣基督是我们的主和救主时，我们便开始凭信心活在神所赐的新生命里。我们已经成为在基督里的新造的人，是照着神的圣洁和公义被创造的。
罗马书 8:11 然而叫耶稣从死里复活者的灵若住在你们心里，那叫基督耶稣从死里复活的，也必借着住在你们心里的圣灵，使你们必死的身体又活过来。
我们已经进入了复活的新生命，并且藉着对基督的信心活出这新生命。既然基督住在我们里面，祂就赐给我们渴慕敬虔、圣洁生活的新心志；同时，祂也藉着内住的圣灵赐给我们能力。因此，信徒应当以新造之人的身份，凭信心而行。
当基督活在我们里面时，我们便能够结出圣灵的果子：仁爱、喜乐、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信实、温柔和节制（加拉太书5:22）。
一个幸福婚姻的第一步，始终是耶稣基督。祂是爱的标准，也是爱的榜样。因此，你能给予配偶最宝贵的礼物，就是在婚姻关系中活出基督的样式。
我们应当活出由内而外的基督徒生命，而不是由外而内。基督信仰并不是关于规条和表现，而是关于基督住在我们里面。祂赐给我们取之不尽的属灵资源，使我们能够靠着圣灵的能力和果子，活出新生命。
罗马书 8:13 你们若顺从肉体活着，必要死；若靠着圣灵治死身体的恶行，必要活着。
因此，我们要凭信心相信：神已经使我们成为新造的人，在公义和圣洁中被重新创造。基督住在我们里面，使我们能够活出由内而外的生命。这与律法主义的生活截然不同。它不是依靠方法和外在规范，而是从神所赐的新心所涌流出来的新生命。
我们需要时常记得：我们的旧人与基督同钉十字架，并且与祂一同埋葬了。那个容易发怒、容易受冒犯、爱批评、言语尖刻、充满消极思想、以自我为中心、喜欢说愚妄的话和闲言闲语的旧人，已经死了！
如今，我们已经与基督一同复活，进入新的生命。我们拥有新的性情——神的性情；并且神已经赐给我们一切关乎敬虔生活的宝贵应许。
默想：在你生命的哪些领域中，你仍然常常以“老我”的方式作出反应？神正在如何邀请你，让住在你里面的基督更新并改变你的思想、言语和行为？
讲章系列：律法主义，还是在基督里的生命？