“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and 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.”
(Galatians 2:20)

That the believer may live cheerfully and comfortably, he is exhorted to the free and constant use of Christ. O consider, Christ is given to us to be enjoyed by us! He is the bread of life. We are to feed upon Him daily. He is the water of life, which our souls are to drink of constantly. He is our righteousness. We are to put Him on continually. So then, we not only have a precious Christ, but we are also to use Him and enjoy His preciousness! He is not only a well of salvation, but we must draw water out of it with joy and drink of it to the refreshing of our souls! Deeply consider that without this inward enjoyment of Christ, you cannot be happy in your soul, comfortable in your walk, nor godly in your life. We must live by faith upon Christ so as to derive a continual supply of grace, comfort, and strength from Him!

How do I know that He loved me? He “gave himself for me!” “Gave himself?” Yes, “himself.” He gave me His gifts. He gave me His grace. He gave me His salvation. Indeed, He has given me all things! But all cannot be compared to this. He “gave himself for me!” I deserved His wrath, but He “gave himself for me!” I deserved hell, but He “gave himself for me!”

He gave His body and His soul, His perfect humanity in union with His eternal deity, into the hands of divine justice. He gave Himself up unto death upon the cursed tree in my room and stead as a Sacrifice for sin that He might have me! He gave Himself a ransom for many. He gave Himself for His Church, to redeem it as His holy Bride. He gave Himself for His elect, to satisfy divine justice for them and save them. Yet, He “loved me and gave himself for me,” to redeem me, to atone for my sin, to save me!

O my soul, look up! Be encouraged to hope, to believe, to hang upon the Son of God, “who loved me, and gave himself for me!” Oh, for faith to believe Him! Oh, for grace to love Him and give myself to Him, “who loved me, and gave himself for me!” Precious Saviour, blessed Author and Finisher of our faith, eternal Lover of my soul, grant me this mercy!

(Adapted)