“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives 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)
In Galatians 2:20 Paul explains the spiritual reality of a believer’s identity in Christ. This powerful imagery of being “crucified with Christ … nevertheless I live” paints a vivid picture of the transformation that occurs when a sinner is born to new life by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. As John Flavel points out, “The application of Christ to Souls by the regenerating work of the Spirit is that which makes the first internal difference and distinction among men.”[1]
Our original state, shared universally by humanity, is one stained by transgressions and inclinations toward sin and wickedness. Even those who were chosen by God, as Ephesians 2:3 highlights, were once children of wrath. But when we, by faith, are united to Christ, that old, rebellious, sinful self is put to death, as Paul states in our text. This is why 1 John 3:6 says no one who abides in Christ keeps on sinning. And why Jesus said “by their fruits you will know” whether someone is a believer or not.
Because as Christ was raised from the dead by the quickening of the Spirit, so also, in Christ, believers experience the “new” birth when we are quickened by the water of the Word and the Spirit to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4). Our old passions and desires are crucified, and we are raised to exhibit new passions for God and His righteousness and holiness. We are no longer slaves to sin but set free from it by His death and resurrection that we participate in.
Consequently, as Romans 6:13 states, we are to “present ourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members as instruments for righteousness.” The life we now live is not dictated by fleshly desires, but by a newfound faith in the Son of God, who loves us personally and sacrificed Himself for our redemption.
The work of the Spirit in this process is vital in bringing about real change in our demeanor and state. We become new people, experiencing redemption from a life of slavery to sin to a life adorned by worship and service. We no longer live for ourselves, but for Christ, to present Christ to the world by our changed life.
Beyond this metamorphosis, the Spirit’s work in our heart instills in us an unparalleled joy that can only come from God. While the world may offer momentary pleasures, genuine spiritual delight is a treasure only available to those who have been rejuvenated by the Spirit. Such transformation to a new life of joy and peace is a palpable reality that only Christ can offer.
Contemplations:
- Nature of Identity: When I meditate on Ephesians 2:3, there’s a profound realization of our shared human fallenness. And although Christ rescued me from that life of sin, I still have a sinful nature within. Yet by His grace the Spirit of God transformed my spirit and instilled in me a love for God and desire to know Him more. It is good for me to consider how my redefined identity in Christ has made a difference in my daily choices and perspectives, to make sure I am allowing His nature to live through me now.
- Temporary vs. Eternal Joy: The analogy of a beggar dreaming of kingship paints a vivid picture of worldly vs. spiritual aspirations. All around me, the world offers momentary satisfactions and mirages of pleasure that fade away with the morning sun. In contrast, the eternal joy Christ provides is steadfast, unwavering, and ever-present. How often do I get lured by shallow, temporary joys? And how can I better focus my heart on the deep eternal delight and comfort offered by Christ’s love?
- Personal Touch of Christ: Galatians 2:20 isn’t just a theological statement; it’s a personal testament of Christ’s love for me as a believer. It speaks of a Savior who isn’t distant or indifferent but intimately connected, one who loved me so deeply that He gave Himself up for my sake. How can I nurture this personal relationship with Christ, ensuring His love permeates every facet of my life?
- Embracing the New Identity: Being a new creation in Christ, as Revelation 2:7 and 2 Corinthians 5:17 indicate, is both an honor and a responsibility. The old has passed, and the new has come. This walk promises a renewed purpose, but it also demands leaving behind past baggage. How am I actively embracing this new identity in Christ, and what remnants of the past do I still need to surrender?
A Prayer for Embracing the Life of Christ in Me
O Lord, my God, You who are from everlasting to everlasting, full of mercy and truth, I come before You with a heart humbled by the weight of Your grace. You alone are holy, You alone are righteous, and yet You have set Your love upon me. You have not left me in the deadness of my sin, but You have called me to newness of life through Jesus Christ. In Him I have died, and in Him I now live—not by my own strength, nor by my own merit, but by my faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
O Father, how often have I failed to live as one truly crucified with Christ? How often have I held onto the sins of my old self, indulging in desires of the flesh rather than yielding wholly to Your Spirit? Forgive me, Lord, for the times when I have lived as though I still belong to this world, when my thoughts, my actions, and my affections have strayed from the life You’ve given me in Christ. Have mercy on me, O God, and renew in me a steadfast spirit that I may walk in the power of my new identify, leaving behind all that once bound me in sin.
I thank You, Lord, for the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, for the quickening that has made me alive to righteousness. I was once a child of wrath, lost in darkness, but You have brought me into the light of Your kingdom. You have given me a new heart, a new mind, a new purpose—to glorify Christ in all that I do. Thank You for the life I now live, for the assurance that I am no longer my own but belong to my faithful Savior, who purchased me with His own blood. What greater joy could there be than to know that I am Yours, that nothing can separate me from Your love, that in Christ I am complete?
Lord, help me embrace fully the life of Christ in me. Let me not live for myself, but for Him who died and rose again on my behalf. Teach me to yield my thoughts, my desires, and my actions to the leading of Your Spirit. May I present myself as an instrument of righteousness, forsaking the fleeting pleasures of this world and setting my affections on things above. Fill me with a longing for holiness, a hunger for Your Word, and a joy that is unshaken by the trials of this life.
Let Christ be magnified in me, O Lord. Let His love shape my relationships, His humility govern my actions, His wisdom guide my steps. May my life be a testimony of His power to redeem and transform, so that others may see and glorify Your name. Keep me from wavering, from growing weary in well-doing, from losing sight of the glorious inheritance that is mine in Him. And when temptation calls, when the old self seeks to rise again, remind me, O God, that I have been crucified with Christ, that my life is hidden in Him, and that He alone is my sufficiency.
For the sake of Your great name, for the glory of Christ, and for the joy of my soul, let me live as one who is truly alive in Him. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Further References for Gal. 2:20:
Rom. 6:6; Gal. 6:14; Rev. 1:5; Eph. 5:25
[1] John Flavel, The Method of Grace (London: M. White, for Francis Tyton .., 1681), 11.
