Christ - Submitted to the Father (Self-Control)

Friday, March 6, 2026

My name is Gladys DeBruyne. I am a member of the River Church along with my husband who is the pastor of visitation. I am a retired educator, having worked over 25 years, primarily in kindergarten and first grade. We are natives of West Michigan living there for 35 years before we moved to California in 1991. We have two grown children, 5 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren.

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.

When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Do you see Christ? Many times, our reflection shows us the person we picture ourselves as. Sometimes, many times, it is not a pretty picture. Have you ever done something terrible and then come home and looked at yourself in the mirror and despised yourself? I have. It is not a pleasant thing. If we let ourselves, we despise ourselves for days and it is truly a hurdle that is difficult to overcome.

How do we overcome? We don’t. God does. God see us as a new creation, He has done a good work in us. If we confess our sins, he is willing and able to forgive us and renew a right relationship with us. Picture yourself in the mirror with that despicable face, that one that you can hardly look at, then confess to God your acts. In doing so, you are acknowledging His control over your life and even more, He washes those despicable acts from your soul. He cleanses you with His blood. He paid the price for your wrong deeds. Don’t wallow in your sin and fallen nature. Don’t live there - live as if Christ is living in you - because He is. See yourself as He sees you - made new again, made in the image of God. He sees you as He made you - perfect - His child.

It is true, you are no longer you, but Christ is living in you. Have you heard of people that glow? Maybe you have heard of that when a pregnant woman is told that she has a certain glow about her. Well, that is because of new life that she is holding inside of her. That is what Christ has done for us. He has given us a new life, a new beginning. This is also true for newly married couples. For the first year or so, they radiate happiness and joy for life. I have also heard this said of a new Christian - that they glow with a Christ like nature. Their whole being radiates. Oh, that we could be like that every day. But things change, life happens, affecting our outlook on the world. Sadly, we don’t always glow like we did when we first came to know Jesus. But there is also a good kind of transformation as we grow in Christ. Many older Christians have this sense of inner peace and contentment. A deeper kind of joy. This is reflective in their being also. There is a deeper radiance about them. As we grow in relationships with people around us, we become comfortable, we relax, we enjoy the space we are in. That is the way we are with God too. The initial excitement leads to a deeper relationship, that of trust and commitment, one that you can rely on, a relationship that will never let you go.

Can you embrace that fact today that Christ is living in you? Put on the whole armor of God, wear His righteousness as you go through the day. Put His radiance on your face. You are a new creation in Christ Jesus. Walk in the light as you are in the Light of HIs glory!