Gal 2:20-21 (KJV)
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Christ icon in Taizé (Photo credit: lgambett)
When I was a child growing up in South Carolina, we sang a Sunday School song that used the words in Galatians 2:20. It was a catchy tune that I can hear even now. In reading today’s verse, I marvel at how accessible and plain-spoken the message is. Yet, how often do we live its meaning? How many Christians go through the day with the image of the crucified Christ in their heads? Or even in their hearts? How many of us see ourselves hanging on a tree even as our Savior (Whom we claim to love) was? If we do not or cannot imagine the crucified Jesus, or never see ourselves crucified with Him, how will we ever get a glimpse of the glory that was His by virtue of His sacrifice. How will we ever experience the glory that He shares with us, when we by faith become more like Him?
Is this being crucified with Christ dependent upon our ability to understand or appreciate it? I think not. Being crucified with Christ is the result of saving grace bestowed upon those who accept salvation through faith Christ Jesus. We should gladly embrace the knowledge that Jesus nailed our old sinful selves to the cross and paid our sin-debt in full. What Christ has done for us should forever fill our hearts and minds with gratitude and awe.
Being crucified with Christ is important because your old self cannot take you where your new self needs to go. Your old mind-set will never lead you to the love, joy and peace offered by Jesus. Your un-saved mind-set will never get you into the presence of the Lord where there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11).
The high price of our salvation is humbling. It gives us the chance to juxtapose our sin-charred pasts with the pure, merciful and glorious gift of salvation. The grace of God is lavish in abundance, mercy, and power. I pray that we will allow the power of God to energize us so that we can know that which is “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20). Let us carry the glorious gift of being crucified with Christ in our hearts today!
May these words educate and comfort you today. Until we meet again: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10).
– Verneda
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