Anchor My Faith

Author: Stephen Weller
1,346 words, 7 minutes read time

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I Have Been Crucified with Christ

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. (Galatians 2:20 ESV)

This verse is very close to my heart, is one I return to frequently and is one I strive to live by. It is a verse that describes a defining moment in one’s life; a time when one surrenders their heart to Jesus by faith as their savior. When we do, we join Jesus at the cross and by faith are crucified with him. Evidence of that crucifixion is illustrated by a change in our behavior. For example, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24 ESV); “Far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14 ESV); and “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin” (Romans 6:6 ESV).

Looking at these three verses, we see, when belonging to Jesus Christ, the sinful goals and proud self exalting desires are to come to an end; the former self died with Jesus. When we were once of the world and lived by its philosophy, now we have been crucified to the world and seek to live according to the ways of God. Before the cross, we were slaves to sin, but now we have been set free from its bondage.

Once I am crucified with Christ, I am free to live by a different standard. Having died to the sinful control of the flesh and having accepted Jesus Christ into my life, I now have the resources to live a different life. “If Christ is in [me], although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness” (Romans 8:10 ESV). “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV). “Christ who lives in me” is now available to direct and empower all that I do. As a crucified person, how do I obtain the strength to go on living as I should?

It was by faith through grace that I obtained salvation and now “the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God.” I am to trust Jesus Christ moment by moment to work in and through me to give spiritual effectiveness to all that I do. This is the process of sanctification or the working out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

“Christ who lives in me, who loved me and gave himself for me,” I am to obey out of love and gratitude. “[He] gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father” (Galatians 1:4 ESV). The fact that Jesus died for our sins shows that the crucifixion was not an impersonal, mechanical transaction, but rather a personal expression of Christ’s love for us.

Father, you sent your Son to die for me and on his cross, he took my sin and in return he clothed me with his righteousness to make me acceptable in your sight. The only way I can truly thank you for this act of love is to walk with Jesus in obedience out of love. Father, thank you!

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Summary Theme

Fixing Living by Faith Through Union with Christ

Summary Paragraph

Epistle to the Galatians 2:20 is one of the clearest declarations of the believer’s union with Christ. Paul explains that through faith in Jesus Christ, the old life dominated by sin, self, and the law has been crucified with Christ. The believer now possesses a new identity in which Christ lives within them. This transformed life is not sustained by human effort, but by continual faith in the Son of God, who demonstrated His love through His sacrificial death. The verse emphasizes both the death of the old self and the ongoing reality of spiritual life empowered by Christ’s presence. It presents the Christian life as one of surrender, dependence, faith, and gratitude rooted in the love and sacrifice of Jesus.

Discussion Questions with Extended Answers:

1. What does Paul mean when he says, “I have been crucified with Christ”?

Answer:
Paul is describing the believer’s spiritual union with Christ in His death. When Jesus died on the cross, He not only paid the penalty for sin, but believers are also identified with Him in that death. The “old self,” the life ruled by sin, pride, self-righteousness, and independence from God, has been judged and put to death with Christ. This does not mean believers physically die, nor does it mean they instantly become perfect. Rather, it means the old identity that stood condemned before God no longer defines them.

Paul teaches that salvation involves more than forgiveness; it involves transformation. The believer is no longer enslaved to sin’s authority because Christ’s death broke its dominion. This truth calls Christians to daily deny self, resist sinful desires, and live in submission to Christ. The cross becomes both the means of salvation and the pattern for Christian living.

2. What does it mean that “Christ lives in me”?

Answer:
Paul is emphasizing the indwelling presence of Christ through the Holy Spirit. Christianity is not merely following moral rules or adopting religious habits; it is a living relationship in which Christ Himself dwells within the believer. His presence transforms desires, attitudes, priorities, and actions.

Christ living in the believer means that spiritual strength, wisdom, endurance, and growth come from Him rather than from human ability alone. The Christian life cannot be successfully lived through self-effort. Instead, believers depend on Christ daily for guidance, power, and spiritual fruitfulness. This truth also gives assurance and comfort because believers are never abandoned to live the Christian life alone. Christ actively works within them to shape them into His image.

3. Why does Paul emphasize living “by faith in the Son of God”?

Answer:
Paul emphasizes faith because the Christian life begins and continues through trusting Christ rather than relying on personal merit or obedience to the law. In the context of Epistle to the Galatians, Paul was confronting the false teaching that believers must rely on Jewish law to maintain righteousness before God. Paul explains that just as salvation comes by faith, daily spiritual living also depends upon faith.

Living by faith means trusting Christ’s finished work, depending on His promises, and relying upon His strength in every circumstance. Faith is not passive belief but active dependence upon God. The believer walks forward trusting that Christ is sufficient for salvation, sanctification, guidance, trials, and eternal hope. Faith continually turns the heart away from self-reliance and toward Christ.

4. How does Christ’s love motivate Christian living?

Answer:
Paul concludes the verse by focusing on Christ’s personal love and sacrifice: “who loved me and gave himself for me.” The Christian life is not motivated merely by duty, fear, or obligation, but by gratitude for Christ’s sacrificial love. Jesus willingly gave Himself on the cross to redeem sinners, bearing judgment in their place.

When believers truly understand the depth of Christ’s love, obedience becomes a response of worship rather than a burdensome requirement. His love produces humility, devotion, perseverance, and a desire to honor Him. Paul speaks personally, “loved me,” showing that Christ’s sacrifice is not merely a general truth but a deeply personal reality for every believer. Understanding this personal love strengthens faith and encourages believers to live fully devoted to Christ.