Grace Thompson
The phrase crucified with Christ is a symbolic expression found in the Bible, specifically in Galatians 2:20, and refers to the spiritual union between Christ and believers. It emphasizes that believers have died to their old selves and their sinful desires, and now live by faith in Christ, who lives within them. This concept is further elaborated on in Romans 6:3–14 and Colossians 2:20, among other verses, and forms the basis for a Christian's identity and way of life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Being crucified with Christ means that we are no longer under the penalty of the Law. |
| Being crucified with Christ means that we are new creations. | |
| Being crucified with Christ means that we have a new love. | |
| Being crucified with Christ means that we have a new commitment. | |
| Being crucified with Christ means that we have a new way of life. | |
| Being crucified with Christ emphasizes our union with Him and His death on our behalf. | |
| Being crucified with Christ means that we are no longer living according to the sinful lusts and desires of our flesh. | |
| Being crucified with Christ means dying to the requirements of the Law, to self, and to desires. |
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What You'll Learn
The crucifixion of Christ as a daily occurrence
Being "crucified with Christ" signifies a new way of life, a death to the old self and a resurrection in Christ. It implies a rejection of worldly desires, sinful lusts, and selfish ambitions. As stated in Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." This verse captures the essence of this transformation, where believers surrender their old selves and allow Christ to infuse their lives with His presence and power.
This concept is not merely about dying to the requirements of the law but also about dying to one's self and desires. It is a daily commitment to deny one's self-will and follow in the footsteps of Jesus, as mentioned in Hebrews 12:2. By doing so, believers emulate Christ's self-sacrifice and surrender their lives to Him. This daily crucifixion is an act of faith, trusting in Christ's crucifixion as payment for their sins and relying on His power to live a life that pleases God.
Through the crucifixion of Christ as a daily occurrence, believers are called to a life of dedication and service to the Lord. It is a constant dying to self, a crucifying of selfish desires, and a surrendering to God's will. By embracing this daily crucifixion, believers walk in newness of life, empowered by the love and grace of the crucified and risen Christ.
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The death of the old self and worldly desires
The crucifixion of Christ is our crucifixion. This is a daily dying to self, where we take up our cross and follow Jesus, putting to death the deeds of the flesh. Our sinful nature, which once held dominion over us, has been rendered powerless. We are set free to live a new life in Christ.
The old self, with its sinful desires and worldly ambitions, is put to death. This is a death to our self-will, where we deny our own will and take up our cross, just as Jesus did. We are no longer under the penalty of the law, as Christ took on that penalty for us. We are new creations, and we walk in newness of life.
To be crucified with Christ means that we are united with Him and He lives in us. Our thoughts, words, and deeds are no longer governed by our old nature but are directed by the Spirit of Christ within us. This is a divine transformation, where we are participants in Christ's death and resurrection.
We must be faithful in this and make no exceptions. We must grow tired of ourselves and our sins, and be thankful to receive Christ as our Leader and Lord. We must give Christ permission to live through us and allow Him to fully express Himself in our lives. This is a new way of life, where we follow Jesus and seek to please Him in every way.
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The new life in Christ
The concept of being "crucified with Christ" is a symbolic phrase used in the Bible to represent a spiritual truth. It signifies that believers have died to the law and are now united with Christ in His crucifixion and resurrection, as described in Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." This idea emphasizes our union with Christ, where our old selves have died, and we have a new way of life that seeks to please Him.
New Creation
Being crucified with Christ means we are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). Our old selves are gone, and we have a new life in Christ, walking in newness of life (Romans 6:4). This new creation is empowered by the resurrected Christ, allowing us to live for Him in a way that pleases God (2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 6:4).
New Love
Our love is no longer focused on the lusts of the flesh and the things of this world (Galatians 5:24). Instead, we now love Christ, even though we have not seen Him (1 Peter 1:8). This new love transforms our desires, preferences, and tastes, putting Christ first in our lives (1 Peter 1:8, Galatians 2:20).
New Commitment
Being crucified with Christ leads to a new commitment to serving and glorifying the Lord. This dedication surpasses our previous ties to family and friends, as our primary allegiance is now to Christ (Galatians 2:20).
Freedom from the Law
Through our union with Christ, we are no longer under the penalty and curse of the law (Galatians 3:10). Christ paid the sin penalty on our behalf, and we are justified by our faith in Him, not by our works (Galatians 2:16, 2:19). This freedom from the law allows us to live by faith in the Son of God (Galatians 2:20).
New Perspective
Our new life in Christ changes our perspective on life. We no longer fear death or worry about worldly concerns because we have eternal life with God in Heaven (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Instead, we focus on eternal matters of faith, hope, and love of God and others (Romans 6:4).
Practical Expressions
Living the new life in Christ involves practical expressions of love and service. This includes obedience to parents, sharing with siblings, and participating in family activities that reflect our new life in Christ (Colossians 3:1). Additionally, we are called to pray without ceasing, devote time to God daily, and rejoice in His love (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
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The meaning of 'in Christ'
Being "in Christ" is a common expression in the Bible, used by followers of Jesus to describe their personal relationship with him. The phrase appears 164 times in the letters of Paul alone. To be "in Christ" means to be organically united with Christ, as a branch is part of a tree.
Paul uses the phrase to describe his self-identity: "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20).
To be "in Christ" means to have accepted Christ's sacrifice as payment for our sins. It is to be forgiven and to have our sin debt cancelled, our relationship with God restored, and our eternity secured. It is to be united with Christ in his crucifixion and resurrection, with his life infusing and energizing ours.
To be "in Christ" also brings personal fulfillment, brotherly unity, and radical transformation. It is to be a new creation, with a new way of life, no longer living for oneself but for God. It is to be dedicated to the service and glory of the Lord, with a new love for Christ and a new commitment to him that surpasses all other ties.
In conclusion, to be "in Christ" is to be united with him, to have our sins forgiven, and to live a new life that is pleasing to God, empowered by our union with the resurrected Saviour.
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The power of the crucified and risen Christ
Dying to Self and Rising with Christ
The crucified and risen Christ symbolises a spiritual transformation where believers die to their old selves and are resurrected as new creations. This idea is reflected in 2 Corinthians 5:17, which states, "If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" Believers are called to deny their self-will and sinful desires, taking up their cross daily to follow Christ's example. This death of the old self is not a one-time event but a continual process of sanctification.
Union with Christ
At the heart of the crucified and risen Christ is the believer's union with Christ. This union is described as a deep connection where Christ lives in the believer, and they are in Christ. Paul, in Galatians 2:20, captures this concept: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." This union is not merely theological but a transformative reality that changes the very essence of a believer's being. It is a divine infusion of Christ's life into the believer, empowering them to live for Him.
Freedom from the Law
Empowered to Live for God
The crucified and risen Christ empowers believers to live in a way that pleases God. Through their union with Christ, believers are enabled and energised to live a life of faith and obedience. This new life is characterised by a love for Christ, a commitment to serving Him, and a dedication that surpasses earthly ties. It is a life fuelled by communion with Christ and a desire to follow in His steps.
A Response to God's Love
The crucified and risen Christ is also a response to the immeasurable love of God. Christ's sacrifice on the cross was an act of love, where He offered Himself in our place. Our union with Him through the crucifixion and resurrection is our response of love and obedience. Believers are compelled by God's love to live for Him and to embrace the crucified life as a pathway to true freedom.
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Frequently asked questions
Being crucified with Christ means that we are no longer under the penalty of the Law. That penalty was paid by Christ on our behalf. When Christ was crucified, it was as if we were crucified with Him. This means that we are new creations, with a new love and a new commitment.
Galatians 2:20 is a key passage: "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 for me."
Theologians call this state of being "in Christ" our union with him. Union with Christ means that we are in Christ, and he is in us. If you look up all the verses in the New Testament that describe the believer’s union using the related terms “with Christ,” “in Christ,” and “in him,” you’ll find over 160 references!
