August 15

I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. — Gal 2:20 BSB

There is no way to gain victory over our besetting sins except by being spiritually baptized into Christ’s death and life. If we see a suffering Christ and are baptized into His sufferings and death, that experience, while it lasts, will subdue the power of sin. On the other hand, if we get a believing view of the risen Christ and receive supplies of grace from His fullness, that will lift us above sin’s dominion. When sin is powerfully working in us, we need one of these two things to overcome it: either something must come down to us to give us victory in our struggle against sin, or we must be lifted up into a purer and better state.

When we see Christ’s sufferings, sorrows, agonies, and death, power flows into our souls to help us resist and overcome sin. Similarly, when we experience the grace and love of Christ, it raises us above the love and power of sin, into a higher and holier state. Sin cannot be subdued in any other way. We must either be baptized into Christ’s sufferings and death or into His resurrection and life (these two are connected). Whether we see Him as a suffering God or as a risen Savior, every successful battle against sin, death, hell, and the grave must involve Christ.

We can strive, vow, and repent, but without Christ, these efforts accomplish little. Pride, lust, and covetousness flood in and overwhelm us before we realize what’s happening. But if we catch a glimpse of Christ, whether in His suffering or His resurrection—if we taste His dying love, receive a drop of His atoning blood, or experience His beauty and blessedness—then there is power to subdue sin. This spiritual baptism into His death or life grants victory over temptation and sin, a victory nothing else can provide.

Yet, we often spend many years learning this divine secret. We try to repent and reform but fail, until, by divine teaching, we begin to understand what the Apostle meant when he said, “The life I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God.” When we live by this faith, this hidden life, our affections are set on things above.

There is no point in telling people to strive legally; they will only sink deeper. We must have Christ within our souls by the power of God. Then, His smiles, His blood, His love, and His presence will subdue every internal foe.