Galatians 2:20-21 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me… I. WHAT IS IT TO BE CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST? By this terrible crucifixion Christ became insensible to surrounding objects. He ceased to feel, hear, see, He died. Though the Christian is not thus literally crucified with Christ, he is so spiritually. Hence he becomes dead to the law, world, and to sin; dead to human pride, pleasures, and degraded passions. Though Christ was in the flesh, He did not live the life of the flesh. His visible crucifixion on Calvary was only a sign of the spiritual crucifixion within. II. How is THIS CRUCIFIXION EFFECTED? 1. The power. The spirit of grace in the heart is the power that effects it. 2. The instrument. Faith is the hand that grasps the hammer, drives the nails, and deals a deadly blow to the "old man." 3. The manner. This act of spiritual crucifying is most thoroughly effected. It is a complete work. The whole man is crucified; the will, understanding, affections, desires, delights. Every prayer, tear of repentance, tells upon it. III. WHAT IS THE NATURAL RESULT OF THIS CRUCIFIXION WITH CHRIST? 1. Freedom from the law (Romans 7:1). "There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus." 2. Deliverance from sin. 3. Fitness for usefulness. It was by His death that Christ became the life of the world. 4. Possession of real happiness. Nothing is so destructive to our true happiness as the "life of the flesh." (J. H. Hughes.) 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. |
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