TIME WITH INSPIRE. The Crucified Life: No Longer I, But Christ

Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ 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.

​Generally, Galatians 2:20 is a cornerstone verse in Christian theology, particularly concerning justification by faith and union with Christ.

Child of God, we live in a world obsessed with the "self"—self-improvement, self-help, self-actualization. But the Apostle Paul presents us with a reality that is radically anti-self. He gives us not a self-help guide, but a death certificate followed by a resurrection announcement. This one verse captures the entire story of salvation and sanctification. It answers the ultimate question: How do I live a truly Christian life?

​Paul declares a life characterized by three necessary realities: Death, Substitution, and Dependence.

​I. The Death: Crucified With Christ

​"I have been crucified with Christ."

​This is a spiritual, definitive reality. It is not something we do daily; it is something that was done to us with Christ in a once-for-all event.

• ​A. Death to the Law: In the context of Galatians, Paul is arguing against trying to earn God’s approval through rules. Being "crucified with Christ" means the penalty of the Law has been paid by Christ on our behalf. We are free from the condemnation and the effort to establish our own righteousness (Galatians 2:16, 21).

• ​B. Death to Self: More universally, this means the death of our "old man"—the dominant rule of our sinful nature. The 'I' that was self-directed, self-justifying, and focused on earthly applause is legally dead.

  • ​Illustration: Think of a company where the former CEO (the 'old self') was tyrannical and bankrupting the business. When the rightful Owner (Christ) takes over, the old CEO is removed, his authority is terminated, and he no longer runs the day-to-day.

​II. The Substitution: It Is No Longer I Who Live

​"...but Christ lives in me."

​This is the amazing exchange! Where the old self died, the new life source moves in. This is the doctrine of the Indwelling Christ.

• ​A. Christ is the New Center: The question is no longer, "What do I want to do?" but "What does Christ want to do?" Our will must submit to His. This is the relinquished life—we give up the throne.

• ​B. Christ is the New Power: Paul is not saying we become zombies. He is saying the source of our life, our motivation, and our ability to do good is the risen Christ Himself, mediated by the Holy Spirit. He doesn't just inspire us; He lives His life through us.

  • ​This solves the struggle Paul described in Romans 7: "The good that I want, I do not do, but the evil I do not want is what I do." The solution is not trying harder, but replacing the driver.

    
    

​III. The Dependence: I Live By Faith (The Continuous Connection)

​"And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God..."

​The new life is not automatic maintenance; it requires ongoing connection, like a plant drawing water from the root.

• ​A. Faith is the Conduit: We still live "in the flesh"—we are still physically here, facing temptation, making decisions. But the way we activate the power of the indwelling Christ is through faith. Faith is the open hand that receives what Christ is actively pouring out.

• ​B. Faith is Trusting the Lover: Paul defines who we place our faith in: "...who loved me and gave himself for me." Our faith is not a blind leap into the dark; it is a confident trust in a proven character.

  • ​If He loved us enough to die for our sins, will He not sustain us now that He lives in us? This love compels us to trust Him with the mundane, the difficult, and the unknown moments of our daily "fleshly" existence.

    
    

Christ is calling

​Galatians 2:20 is the essence of the Gospel applied to daily living. It is the Exchanged Life.

1. ​Are you still trying to live your life for God? (The old way). You must realize that the "I" was crucified with Christ. Confess your former-self as dead!

2. ​Are you weary from the fight against sin? Stop relying on your own will-power. Embrace the Substitution: It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

3. ​How do you maintain this life? By Dependence—by consciously, moment-by-moment, living by faith in the One who loved you and gave Himself for you.

   
   

​Today, let the old self rest in the tomb of Christ's cross. Let the risen Christ take the helm of your life, and live today, not in your strength, but in His unstoppable, faithful life flowing through you! Amen.