Question
In light of Galatians 2:20 and other similar verses, what is our responsibility towards living the Christian life today?
Answer
Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ 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 delivered Himself up for me." (NASB)
Living the Christian life is a part of one's ongoing relationship with Christ. But it is incredibly simple. Christ has only ONE LAW, comprised of two parts. His law is "love one another, even as I have loved you...By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another," (John 13:34, 35). This is the sole law of His Kingdom.
This law contains everything that was written in all the laws in all the Bible, (Romans 13:8-10). By loving God and our neighbor, we do everything God and Christ require of us. We will be known as "disciples," that is, ones who live the Christian life, if we love others.
The Christian life is simply a matter of living by the law of love for God and man. This involves two things:
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Acknowledging God and Christ as our Creator and Ruler, and worshipping them.
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Doing nothing that harms other people, and helping those in need when we have opportunity and means.
Everything else is optional. "The Christian Life" is not a matter of meeting regularly in a building, listening to a Pastor, giving tithes, singing, helping with church programs, and so forth. All those things are fine if one desires to participate in them, but they are not mandatory for salvation or spiritual growth. One's solitary communion with God is acceptable worship, and using one's money to minister to others is better than putting it into a tithe plate for spending on property and salaries for religious professionals.
Religious works are no part of one's walk with God. They are certainly vital to maintaining church organizations and programs.
But walking with God and Christ in simple fellowship of love is the essence of the Christian life. Learn to live in love, and you need be concerned with nothing else.