Living in Christ: The Transformed Life

Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

[20] I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Overview

Hey, friends. Did you know that in the original Greek, the phrase "crucified with Christ" in Galatians 2:20 carries the sense of a completed action with ongoing effects? It's like saying, "I have been crucified once and for all, but the impact of that moment reverberates through my entire existence." Isn't that profound?

Essential Points

You see, when Paul declares, "I have been crucified with Christ," he's not speaking metaphorically. He's talking about a real, radical transformation that happens when we surrender our lives to Jesus. It's not about self-improvement or behavior modification; it's about a complete death to our old selves and a new life in Christ.

And then Paul drops this bombshell: "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." Can you imagine the implications of that statement? It means that our identity, our purpose, our very being is now intertwined with the living Christ. We are no longer slaves to sin and selfish desires but vessels of His grace and love.

But Paul doesn't stop there. He goes on to say, "And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God." Living in Christ isn't a one-time event; it's a daily, moment-by-moment reliance on His strength, His wisdom, His grace. It's about trusting Him in the mundane routines of life, in the joys and struggles, in the victories and defeats.

What Matters Most

So, what does this mean for us today? It means that our lives should reflect the reality of Christ living

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in us. Our words, our actions, our attitudes should bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel. It means dying to our selfish ambitions, our pride, our need for control, and allowing Christ to reign in every area of our lives.

Practically speaking, it means loving others sacrificially, forgiving as we have been forgiven, serving with humility, and living with an eternal perspective. It means letting go of our fears and insecurities and stepping out in faith, knowing that Christ is with us every step of the way.

Wrap-Up

Friends, living in Christ is not a passive existence; it's a radical, vibrant, life-altering experience. It's about embracing our identity as children of God, as co-heirs with Christ, as vessels of His grace and truth in a broken world. So, let's embrace the reality of Galatians 2:20 in our lives today and walk in the freedom and power that comes from being crucified with Christ and raised to new life in Him.

See Also

– Romans 6:6 – "For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin."
– Colossians 3:3 – "For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."
– 2 Corinthians 5:17 – "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

May the truth of Galatians 2:20 resonate in your hearts and transform your lives as you walk in the reality of being crucified with Christ and living in His resurrection power. Amen.

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