The Real Picture

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.




The picture that you are seeing might be that you have come into an assembly of people that you feel comfortable with and there is that desire to be a part and do things to show your worthiness of their fellowship.



The picture you are seeing is that if I try hard enough you can become like them. You can learn to say what they are saying and you can fit in.



The picture you are seeing if you have a talent, musical, singing, or ability to catch people's attention, you will concentrate your time and effort to avail yourself into becoming the best at it.



The problem with so many people who are seeing that picture is that they are always on the outside looking in!



"All of the above are legitimate works that glorify God. But are we seeing the "Real Picture."



As Paul the Apostle wrote from prison in Rome awaiting his execution, he wrote: "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. "



Paul was seeing the "Real Picture."



• Nothing in his upbringing, nothing that he had attained by his own efforts compared with what he saw in the pictue he was seeing.

• Paul has truly died but yet he was truly more alive than he could ever be!

• He was seeing the "Real Picture."



Galatians 2:20 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 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.



For Paul, the picture he was seeing was all Jesus or it was all of the devil! It was Christ living and Paul dying!



And the grace of God that Paul refused to frustrate or to cause this grace of God to be of no power in his life was that he knew that from the "Real Picture " that he was seeing, he saw himself crucified with Christ, but Christ living in him! Christ by the Holy Spirit teaching him.



Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.





The Real Picture



I saw my sin___upon that old tree.

I saw His' love___and mercy for me.

I saw His' pain, and His' agony.

I saw the price that He paid for me.

I saw the real,

picture of Calvary.



"I pray that the picture you are seeing is the "Real Picture."



"I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless, I live!"