The Apostle Paul made a bold statement, "I am
crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in
me”, Galatians 2:20. This is a cornerstone of our Christian faith. The term
"crucified" refers to the act of putting a person to death by nailing
or binding them to a cross or tree, typically as a form of capital punishment.
For us, the crucifixion refers specifically to the execution of Jesus Christ on
a cross as described in the New Testament of the Bible. The crucifixion and
resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central event in our Faith and
beliefs. According to the Gospels, Jesus
was betrayed, arrested, tried, and ultimately sentenced to death by crucifixion
by the Roman authorities. He was nailed to a cross and left to die, and after
several hours, he gave up the ghost and died.
Are You Crucified with Christ? A Profound Identity Shift
We are taught that all have sinned and come short of the
glory of God and that in Adam all died, and even so in Christ shall all be made
alive. This new life was given to us through the crucifixion and resurrection
of Jesus Christ.
The statement, "I am crucified with Christ" in
Galatians 2:20 refers to the spiritual identification of believers with Jesus
in His death. It symbolizes the believer's death to sin and old way of life,
and their new life in Christ. It represents a profound transformation in
identity and a commitment to live in obedience to God's will, empowered by the
indwelling presence of the Holy Ghost. Being crucified with Christ means that
we have decided to accept Christ's sacrifice for us on the cross, turn away
from our old lifestyle, and begin to pattern ourselves after Jesus’ lifestyle.
We begin to try to live by the word of God and try to please Him and not
ourselves. This is not a physical death but a spiritual and symbolic one,
signifying our repentance from sin and our willingness to die to our old way of
life. It is a radical change that requires a made-up mind, where we no longer
live for ourselves but for Christ.
Nevertheless, I Live: The Paradox of New Life
Our new walk with Christ is captured beautifully in the
phrase, "…nevertheless I live, yet not I… ." Yes, you and I are still
alive, but in our minds, we have decided to change and that takes time. Paul
said we should present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable
unto the Lord, and that we die daily. Change takes time, we therefore must be
committed and patient with ourselves. As we die to our old selves, we are not
buried in a grave or extinguished. Instead, are still alive and working to
change into the fullness of the stature of Christ. This change is not immediate
but gradual so please be patient with each other. It is not a continuation of
our old lives with some religious modifications. It is a radical change in how
we view things and how we relate with people. We are empowered by the Holy
Spirit to live in a way that is pleasing to Him. Our desires, priorities, and
values are reshaped by our relationship with Christ. We are no longer enslaved
to sin but are set free to live a life of righteousness, love, and service.
Christ Lives in Me: The Indwelling Presence of Christ
The most astonishing aspect of this transformation is the
indwelling presence of the Holy Ghost in the believer. Paul says, "… yet
not I, but Christ liveth in me." This is when we receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost. The omnipotent, eternal spirit of God takes up residence within us,
empowering us to live a life that reflects His love, grace, and truth. The
presence of Christ within us is not a passive or distant relationship but an
active, intimate communion. It is a relationship characterized by love,
guidance, and empowerment. Christ lives in us to comfort us in our sorrows,
strengthen us in our weaknesses, and guide us in our decisions. He is the
source of our wisdom, courage, and perseverance.
Living by the Faith of the Son of God: A Life of Trust and
Surrender
The culmination of this transformative journey is living
"by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for
me." Living by the faith of the Son of God means trusting in His promises,
surrendering to His will, and relying on His strength to navigate the
challenges and trials of life. Living by faith is not a passive resignation to
fate but an active trust in a loving and sovereign God. This is done when we
commit ourselves to believing His words. Joshua 1:7-9, “Only be thou strong and
very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which
Moses My servant commanded thee. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the
left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This Book of the Law
shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and
night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein.
For then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good
success. Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not
afraid, neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee
whithersoever thou goest.” It is a daily commitment to seek God's will, obey
His commandments, and rely on His grace to sustain us. It is a life of
surrender, where we acknowledge our limitations and weaknesses and trust in
Christ's sufficiency and power.
Conclusion
As Jesus Christ continues to work on us and as we continue
to present ourselves as a living sacrifice to Him, as painful as a living
sacrifice might be at times, the change that takes place in our lives will make
us internally happier and those who are close to us will recognize the change
in us. I hope they will be influenced to desire to have this change take place
in themselves also. “Christ lives in me" is a powerful reminder of the
transformative power of the gospel. It calls each of us to die to our old self,
embrace our new identity in Christ, and live a life empowered by His indwelling
presence and sustained by His unfailing love. As we journey through life, may
we continually draw upon the faith in Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave
Himself for us, to guide us, strengthen us, and transform us into His likeness.
May our lives be a living testimony to the power of the cross and the reality
of Christ's presence within us. Let us embrace this profound truth and live
each day by faith, trusting in the One who loved us and gave Himself for us, so
that His life may be manifested in and through us for His glory.
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