"I
Am Crucified With Christ"
Galatians 2:16-21
16) Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the
faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be
justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the
works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
17) But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are
found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
18) For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a
transgressor.
19) For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
20) 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.
21) I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
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t
is said to us often that there are words that we avoid as Christians. Included
amongst such words are “suffering” and “denial.” The
less we hear these words, the better, for we do not particularly like to be
reminded of how our lives are to be; what are to be our responsibilities.
Of
one thing we should be sure—we do not like to deny ourselves. However, we
are commanded to be made “new” and this can happen only if we are willing to die.
The
concept of “death” and exactly what it means (its significance) has
never really been known in the organized church. We have failed to accept and
understand spiritual death and so, have come to fear natural
death.
It
has been said that the only thing that is certain in this life in which we live
is death and taxes.
Well, death (in some form) is inevitable,
like it or not. In Christ, death is not to be feared, but rather welcomed, for
by it, we are born to life eternal. Not only this, but we are afforded a means
to be able to partake of “death,” yet, remain alive.
The
choice that is placed before us upon accepting salvation is whether or not we
will choose to die with Jesus now or physically die,
after which there is no hope of change.
Since
we are born “in sin,” we have no choice but to die. If we choose to
do so now, the offering of Jesus for sin and in our place
becomes ours. By being “put to death” with Jesus, we become able to
“hide” ourselves in Him and allow Him to live in us.
Though
we have clear proof that nothing that
has been accomplished in or for us has been a result of our own
“doing,” we have still attempted to make salvation “about
us.” The danger in this is that that which one cannot do, he also cannot claim credit for.
Both claiming credit for God’s
work and attempting to operate independent of Him will land one “in
trouble.”
Verse
16 tells us that we are “…justified by the faith of Jesus Christ,”
making it clear that if we would accomplish anything, it
will have to be through Him. However, just saying that something has been put
into His hands is not enough. Unless we accept that
what we need to be done is already
done, we remain outside of His provision.
Our
“fear” of the concept of “crucifixion” and the required
“death” associated with it always means that we will be naturally
reluctant to say “yes” to the Lord. It is this fear that we must
overcome if we are ever to be available
to Him and hence, profitable.
Considering
all that has been done for us, we are to live for Him accordingly, meaning, our
“service” to Him should be proportionate to that which has been
done on our behalf. Because Jesus has given us all that He had to give, we all should be serving the Lord with all of our heart, soul,
mind and strength.
Once
we really understand that “(we are) crucified with Christ” and
therefore, have become recipients of all the benefits of
that crucifixion, we will realize that we have no right
to make His decisions for Him. These “decisions” are not confined
to those concerning us, but others, also.
The
people and the