Galatians 2:20-21 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me… I. THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST WERE STRICTLY EXPIATORY. He suffered not as an example, as a substitute. II. THE LOVE OF CHRIST WHICH CAUSED HIM THUS TO SUFFER. There was no other reason why our Lord should suffer but that He loved us. It was not necessary to the perfection of the Divine government; we could claim no such atonement. The sufferings furnish the measure of that love. Among our fellow-beings we measure the greatness of an affection by that which it consents to sacrifice. III. THE BELIEVER'S DUTY AND PRIVILEGE TO CONSIDER HIMSELF INDIVIDUALLY AS THE OBJECT OF THAT DIVINE SACRIFICE, AND OF THAT DIVINE LOVE — "He loved me." (B. W. Noel, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |