I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Gal 2:20)What a statement! It's full of stuff, isn't it?
In what sense was Paul (any of us) "crucified with Christ"? Obviously not literally. How, then? Paul wrote, "We have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life" (Rom 6:4). Through baptism, then ... or, more accurately perhaps, through "immersion" into Christ. In Colossians we read that we died with Christ to the elemental things of this world (Col 2:20) and that you have "died and your life is hidden with Christ in God" (Col 3:3). We know that, on the cross, Jesus took our sins and made us righteous in Him (2 Cor 5:21). Hebrews says His death rendered death powerless (Heb 2:14). Paul's point, in fact, was that "Through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God" (Gal 2:19).
From there, then, we see serious ramifications. Our life is not ours. Our life is not dependent on us. Our lives are lives predicated on faith, not in what is seen but in Him. Our basis is His love and sacrifice. That is, this isn't an interesting point or a simple theological statement. It is a life-altering reality that we might miss if we're not paying attention. If we're dead to this world and alive in Him, that necessarily changes ... everything. Don't miss it.
4 comments:
Christ's death on our behalf allows us to feel our guilt, but not be drowned in it, so that we can boldly serve Him.
Do you suppose the "in the flesh" Paul mentions here is not the normal usage, but the literal usage?
Words to truly live by!
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Gal 2:20)”
What a statement! It's full of stuff, isn't it?
That is a rich Bible verse, indeed--so much more than “an interesting point or a simple theological statement,” as you say. It is the substance of my entire life as a believer--a lifelong venture that begins and ends with God, from the points of my conversion (past) to that of my glorification (future) and every step in between (present).
An excellent follow-up to yesterday’s post, offering more encouragement to those of us who are trusting in the Gospel of grace and not in our own efforts.
Yes, David. I think it's clearly a reference to "physical life" verses "worldy life."
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