Crucified With Christ

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Scripture: Galatians 2:19-21 (NRSV)

19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; 20 and it is no longer I who live, but it is 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. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

Devotion:

            In these three verses Paul outlines his understanding of how Christ works salvation for our souls. This is probably one of the most quoted verses from Galatians. Paul here declares that he is dead to the law because Christ came to live within him. This must not be taken as some do, that Paul was delivered entirely from the flesh and sinned no more from this point forward. Rather he had Christ raised to life inside him so that he could be free from the demands of the law.

            As Paul says in verse 21, he was justified by Christ not by the law. The law was unable to save him because it merely pointed out his sins and did not cleanse him from sin. Christ, however, was able to deliver Paul and us from slavery to sin and death. God sent Jesus to earth because in God’s great love for humans and desire to see their salvation he had to do something about their sin. He knew we needed something more permanent and lasting than the temple sacrificial system. So, God sent his only begotten Son to rescue us.

            What do these words have to say to us? We are heirs of the promises that Paul enjoyed in these verses. Go back to the verses above and replace every “I” with your name. Personalize this scripture to see just what love the Father has for us now that we are true children of God. Everyone who can pray this scripture honestly can be assured of their salvation. Since we have received such a great salvation how great should our praise and thanksgiving be to God.

            Jesus loved us enough to take up his cross and go to his death because of this great love he had for sinners like us. How much more should be willing to take up our cross daily and live and if necessary, die for Jesus. This world needs the church to be willing to suffer for the gospel. Our willingness to sacrifice ourselves for the truths of God as they are written for us in the Bible must be the legacy of this generation of believers in America and indeed throughout the whole world. Having died with Christ we know that we will live forever with him no matter what mere mortals are able to say or do to us. Let us pray for boldness.

Prayer:

            Lord God may we willing to die to ourselves that we may be raised with Christ into a life that is undefiled and unending. Help us to be brave in the face of opposition from the world, the flesh, and the devil. May we be witnesses to your love both in word and deed to our watching world. Restore your church. Help her to be bold and courageous in her witness to the love of Jesus for the world. Amen

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