It’s not you who lives but Jesus. You would never be able to walk the path of faith if you have not died on the cross with Christ and now it is him who leads your life. You are not responsible because you are already dead on the cross! Assuming of course you are a believer. You mention keeping your salvation. It was never your job it was Christ’s. Who is your saviour? Jesus or your flesh?
Galatians 2:20-21
Galatians 2:20 (WEB)
20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.
Being crucified with Christ is called repentance leading us to put to put to death the deeds of the flesh, so that we may now follow Christ Jesus.
For instance, we are baptized into Christ Jesus when we repent, turning from sin, and committing our lives to serving Jesus - put on Christ.
- You are the one who crucified the flesh through repentance.
- You are the one who responsible to live and walk by the Spirit.
Galatians 5:24-25
24
Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.
25
If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit.
Therefore, in Baptism we are the ones who put on Christ Jesus
Galatians 3:26-27 (WEB)
26 For you are all
children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you
as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Colossians 2:5-13
5
Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 For these things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.
7
You also once walked in those, when you lived in them; 8 but now you also
put away all anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth. 9 Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have
put off the old man with his doings, 10 and have
put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator, 11 where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, or free person; but Christ is all, and in all.
12
Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any;
even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.
Notice that you are commanded to put to death the old nature, and then to put on the new man. As you do this, the Spirit leads your faith to victory.
You only receive the Spirit by an obedient Faith in Lord Jesus:
Acts 5:32 (WEB) 32 We are His witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.
John 14:15-17 (WEB). . . 15 If you love me, keep my commandments. 16 I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever: 17 the Spirit of truth
John 14:23 (WEB) 23 Jesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him.
Acts 2:38 (WEB) 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
However to be regenerated by the Spirit, you must faithfully follow Jesus – which is to walk in the Spirit, because the Spirit will only lead those who faithfully follow Jesus – For the Scriptures teach that regeneration, the new creation, or the salvation of God occurs only by believing – a Gospel Faith demonstrated by
listening to and following Jesus – walking by His Spirit that we receive by faith (2 Corinthians 5:15-17; Galatians 5:13-24; Romans 8:1-4; Romans 8:12-14; Galatians 6:7-10).
Galatians 5:16-25 (WEB)
16
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
24
Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.
25
If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit.
Romans 8:12-14 (WEB) 12 So then,
brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if you live after the flesh, you must die; but
if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God.
Galatians 6:7-10 (WEB)
7 Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
8 For
he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption.
But
he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
9
Let us not be weary in doing good,
for we will reap in due season,
if we don’t give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of The Faith.
Therefore, a Gospel Faith is one in which we renounce the old life of sin, and now commit to follow Lord Jesus, just as Jesus commanded of us. As we do this, the Spirit of God indwells us to lead our faith to victory, but only as we, by faith, continue to walk by the Spirit we received.
1 John 2:4-6 (WEB) 4 One who says, “I know him,” and doesn’t keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn’t in him. 5 But God’s love has most certainly been perfected in whoever keeps his word. This is how we know that we are in him: 6 he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.
What did Lord Jesus command of us? The answer is: The Lord Jesus commanded us to believe in Him. And by this faith, we are
to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him into a life of love and righteousness to be saved, just as Lord Jesus taught us and gave himself as an example for us to follow.
Luke 9:23-26 (WEB) 23 He said to all, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.
John 13:34 (WEB) 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another.
Blessings.
