To Really Live, I Must Die
“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
galatians 2:20 nlt
I Have Been Crucified With Christ
“I have been crucified with Christ.” This is a powerful picture that Paul is painting. For us to really live, we must die to our flesh nature. This is not a literal crucifixion, rather Paul is illustrating a spiritual truth. What he’s saying is that he is no longer under the penalty of the law. When Jesus was crucified it was as if we were crucified with Him. Because the penalty was paid in full, we are now free.
But it doesn’t end there. When Christ rose from the dead, we too were given new life. We find this life not on our strength, but in His.
Now whoever trusts in Jesus can experience this life. You don’t have to do anything to earn it, you simply accept it. When you do, God identifies you with Christ. When Jesus died, you died, and when He rose, you rose. Your old self-centered life died and a new life began.
What does it mean to be crucified with Christ? It means that your old self dies and in its place a new life emerges. You are a new creation. The things you used to be about — the desires of the flesh, the loves of this world, the self-centeredness — are dead. Nailed to the cross.
This is brought about not by your adherence to the law or your own righteousness, but by faith alone in Christ alone.
I No Lonoger Live, But Christ Lives In Me
Paul is saying that once you are crucified with Christ, you no longer live, but rather Christ lives in you. This is a spiritual death of our old self that brings about a new life.
So, what is this new life? The first thing we often think of is salvation, and that’s certainly a critical part of what Paul is talking about. But it also has an impact on your life here and now. The beauty of what Jesus did on the cross isn’t just that you gain salvation, but also that you gain Jesus. He lives in you, with you, and through you. You can have an intimate relationship with the Creator of the universe.
You do not have to go through life on your own or in your own power and capabilities; you have Christ living in you. “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”
Dying To The Flesh Gives You Power Over Anxiety
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