No Longer I, But Christ in Me: A Life Transformed by the Cross and Resurrection

"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." - Galatians 2:20

We cannot celebrate the resurrection season without first passing through the crucifixion of our savior. Paul's powerful words in Galatians 2:20 echo this very journey, mirroring the path Jesus Himself walked. Let's unpack these thoughts and see how they illuminate the inseparable link between Christ's suffering, death, and glorious resurrection in our own lives.

"I have been crucified with Christ": Dying to the Old Self on Our Own Cross

Think about the crucifixion of Jesus. It was a brutal, public death, the ultimate sacrifice. As the saying goes, the road to the resurrection is paved with the suffering of Jesus Christ. When Paul writes, "I have been crucified with Christ," he's not talking about a literal physical death. Instead, he's pointing to a spiritual death – the death of our old self, that part of us that was enslaved to sin, driven by selfish desires, and lived apart from God.

Just as Christ's body was broken and died on the cross, our identification with Him means that our former way of life is considered dead. The power of sin that once held us captive has been broken. We are no longer defined by our past mistakes, our ingrained habits, or the dictates of our fallen nature. This "crucifixion" in our lives, while not the same as Christ's ultimate sacrifice, is a necessary act of aligning ourselves with His death. It involves a conscious turning away from the things that separate us from God, a painful but essential step on the path towards new life.

"It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me": The Resurrection Life Springs Forth

But the story doesn't end at the cross. Christ didn't stay dead; He rose victoriously! Similarly, our spiritual crucifixion with Christ leads to a glorious resurrection – a new life, not our own, but the very life of Christ dwelling within us. You cannot celebrate the resurrection season without first passing through the crucifixion of our savior. The emptiness of the tomb followed the agony of the cross, and likewise, our old self must die for the new life in Christ to flourish.

"It is no longer I who live" signifies a profound shift in control. We are no longer living based on our own limited strength, wisdom, and desires. Instead, Christ Himself, through the Holy Spirit, takes up residence within us. His life, His love, His power, His character begin to be expressed through us. This is the very essence of the resurrection life – Christ alive in us, empowering us to live beyond our natural capabilities.

"The life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God": Sustained by the Power of His Victory

This new life isn't lived in some ethereal, disembodied state. We still live "in the flesh," navigating the realities of this world. However, the source of our living has changed dramatically. We no longer rely on our own strength or willpower but "live by faith in the Son of God." The road to the resurrection is paved with the suffering of Jesus Christ, but it culminates in the power of His victory. Our faith is the active trust and reliance on this risen Son of God. We believe in His finished work on the cross, His triumph over death, and His ongoing presence and power in our lives. This isn't a passive belief; it's an active dependence, a constant drawing upon His grace and strength to live out this resurrected life day by day.

"who loved me and gave Himself for me": The Unbreakable Foundation of Love

The final phrase brings us back to the very heart of the Gospel: the immense, personal love of Jesus Christ. He didn't just die for humanity in general; He "loved me and gave Himself for me." This personal connection is crucial. Our new life, our identification with His death and resurrection, is all rooted in His incredible act of love and self-sacrifice. You cannot celebrate the resurrection season without first passing through the crucifixion of our savior, because it is in that sacrifice that we see the depth of His love for each of us.

Knowing that we are loved so deeply, that Christ willingly endured suffering and death for us, fuels our faith and empowers us to live out this transformed life. It reminds us that the joy of the resurrection is made all the more profound by the pain of the cross.

Walking the Road with Christ

Galatians 2:20 isn't just a theological statement; it's a call to a lived reality. Just as Christ suffered, died, and rose again, our journey of faith involves a continuous process of dying to our old selves and embracing the new life offered in Him. We cannot bypass the need for self-denial and the painful pruning that leads to growth. But the promise is clear: just as resurrection followed crucifixion for our Lord, so too does new life and the power of His Spirit flow in us as we identify with His death and live in the reality of His glorious resurrection. Let us walk this road with Him, embracing both the cross and the empty tomb, knowing that in Him, we find not just forgiveness, but a completely new and eternal way of being.