Crucified in Christ

“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

This verse basically sums up the gospel message, how Christ died on the cross for us, saving us from our sins and eternal damnation.

In this verse, the apostle Paul describes the spiritual life of a believer as he is brought to salvation. I always found Paul’s description a prime example of how God works in mysterious ways in transforming the old man to the new. In the verse, Paul describes how the sinner is crucified and yet he lives; the old man is crucified (Romans 6:6), but the new man is living. We are also dead to the world, and dead to the law, yet alive to God and Christ.

Even more mysterious is the part where Paul states how “I live; yet not I….” When I first read this portion of scripture, I was very confused about what Paul meant. But there is much meaning and richness to this verse. Paul lives only through God’s grace; he sees himself in a state of dependence. 

Paul also states how he is “crucified with Christ” and that “Christ lives in him”. As believers, we should take some time to ponder and reflect on this mystical union we have in Christ which came only through the death of our Lord and Saviour.

Thought: How often do we marvel at God’s gift of grace and mercy, which has allowed us to commune directly with him?