Crucified With Christ: Living By Faith In The Son Of God

Galatians 2:20 says: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

This verse has echoed across centuries of Christian faith. It is printed on bookmarks, quoted in sermons, and inscribed on hearts. Yet its depth is so often rushed past. Galatians 2:20 is not just a beautiful saying. It is a declaration of identity, transformation, and surrender. It explains what truly happens when a person places their faith in Jesus Christ. This verse is the doorway to understanding the Christian life: dying to the old self and living anew through Christ who lives within us.

Crucified With Christ: The Death of the Old Self

When Paul says, "I have been crucified with Christ," he declares that the old Paul, with all his sin, pride, and self-reliance, has died. Romans 6:6 explains it this way: "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." This is not symbolic language. It is a spiritual reality. The sinful self was nailed to the cross with Jesus. That person no longer lives.

By faith, we trust that His death paid for our personal sin. Our guilt and shame were placed on Him. Isaiah 53:5 says, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." At salvation, we are united with Christ so completely that His death becomes our death. We are freed from sin’s mastery.

Christ Lives In Me: The Indwelling Presence of Jesus

Paul does not stop at death. He continues, "but Christ lives in me." This is the heartbeat of Christian living. Our salvation is not merely about forgiveness. It is about union. Jesus does not only cleanse us. He comes to dwell within us. Colossians 1:27 calls it "Christ in you, the hope of glory." Through the Holy Spirit, the living Christ takes up residence in our hearts. We do not live the Christian life by trying harder. We live it by surrendering to the One who lives in us.

John 14:23 records Jesus saying, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them." The Christian life is not self-improvement. It is Spirit-indwelt transformation. Our thoughts, desires, and actions are gradually reshaped as Christ lives through us.

The Life I Now Live: A New Walk of Faith

"The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God." We still live in these mortal bodies. We still eat, work, and face hardship. But our entire mode of living has changed. Faith has become the engine of our existence. Faith is not simply believing God exists. It is entrusting our entire lives to Him. Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Every moment becomes an act of faith, leaning on the sufficiency of Jesus.

Romans 1:17 says, "The righteous will live by faith." This means that every step we take is anchored in trust. We no longer rely on our own effort to make ourselves right with God. Galatians 2:16 makes this clear: "Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ." Faith is the lifeblood of this new existence.

Who Loved Me And Gave Himself For Me: The Motive of Love

Paul concludes with the reason for all of this: love. "Who loved me and gave himself for me." Christ’s sacrifice was not cold obligation. It was burning love. Ephesians 5:2 says, "Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." The cross was the ultimate demonstration of love. Love motivated Jesus to endure the nails, the mockery, the wrath, and the grave. He saw us in our sin and chose to die for us anyway.

Romans 5:8 declares, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This love becomes the fuel of our new lives. We no longer live trying to earn God’s approval. We live in response to His unshakable love. His love compels us to surrender everything.

The Final Reality: You Are Not Who You Were

This is the beautiful reality of Galatians 2:20. You are no longer the person you once were. That person died with Christ. You have been raised into new life. Second Corinthians 5:17 proclaims, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" This is not a future hope. It is a present reality. The old you has been crucified. Christ lives in you. Your life is now defined not by your failures but by His faithfulness.

Walk in this truth. When condemnation whispers, remind yourself that the old you is dead. When fear rises, remember that Christ lives in you. When doubt clouds your mind, stand firm in the faith that the Son of God loves you and gave Himself for you. This is your identity. This is your freedom. This is your life now. You are crucified with Christ, and you no longer live, but Christ lives in you. The life you now live in the body, live by faith in the Son of God, who loved you and gave Himself for you.