What does "crucified with Christ" mean for daily Christian living? Crucified With Christ—Foundation Verse “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 up for me.” (Galatians 2:20) What Was Nailed to the Cross • My old self—“our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless” (Romans 6:6–7) • My guilt and condemnation—Christ “canceled the written code, with its obligations, that was against us” (Colossians 2:14) • My slavery to sin—“anyone who has died has been freed from sin” (Romans 6:7) • My demand to prove myself—Christ satisfied the Law’s demands (Romans 8:3–4) What Now Lives • Christ’s own life in me—“Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20) • A new creation identity—“if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17) • Resurrection power—God “made us alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:4–5) • Freedom to obey—“those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24) Daily Implications—Living the Crucified Life Identity • I start each day remembering I’m already accepted, already loved. • I refuse labels that contradict God’s verdict of “new creation.” Victory over sin • I count myself “dead to sin but alive to God” (Romans 6:11). • Temptation appeals to a self that no longer rules; I can say no. Freedom from performance • Spiritual disciplines flow from love, not fear of rejection. • I serve because Christ lives through me, not to earn favor. Faith-driven living • “The life I now live … I live by faith.” Trust outweighs self-effort. • Moment-by-moment reliance on the indwelling Christ replaces anxiety. Walking It Out—Practical Steps 1. Daily surrender: “deny himself and take up his cross daily” (Luke 9:23). 2. Mind renewal: soak in Scripture; let truth reframe thoughts (Romans 12:2). 3. Confess quickly: agree with God when sin surfaces; reckon it crucified. 4. Depend on the Spirit: “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). 5. Serve others: Christ expresses His life through love (Galatians 5:13). 6. Celebrate grace: regularly thank Him who “loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Key Cross-References for Further Meditation Takeaway Being crucified with Christ means the old “me” is dead, the risen Jesus now lives through me, and every day is an invitation to trust Him to express His life in my thoughts, choices, and relationships. |
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