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 (Galatians 2:20).

Paul begins this verse with the words, “I am crucified with Christ…” That speaks of an executed life. Paul had learned that it is necessary for a believer to die to self. That is not a one-time decision, but a daily commitment. Paul said, “I die daily” (I Corinthians 15:31b).

Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” That’s what Jesus meant when He told His disciples, “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27). To carry a cross meant only one thing — you were headed for death, for execution.

We should not only be dead to self, but dead to the world. Paul wrote in Galatians 6:14, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” The world held no allurements for Paul, and neither should it hold any allurements for us. We are “dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world” (Colossians 2:20a).

Then Paul wrote, “nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” That speaks of an exchanged life. Over and over again, the Scripture reminds us as believers that Christ is IN us! “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27b). What a glorious truth! He has come to dwell in the heart of every believer – “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith” (Ephesians 3:17). Therefore it is no longer I who live, but Christ!

Paul continues, “and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God.” That speaks of an empowered life. Not the faith which we exercise in Christ, but His faith, which He lives out through us as we appropriate His life in us. If we rely upon our own strength and power we will fail every time, because the flesh is weak. But, as Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).

Paul concluded, “who loved me, and gave himself for me.” That speaks of an expensive life. While God’s grace is free, it certainly isn’t cheap. It cost the Son of God His life, which He willingly laid down for us. “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” (II Corinthians 8:9). What an amazing verse! Yes, He did it all for you and for me!

Galatians 2:20 is the Christian life in a nutshell! Herein is the secret of a Christ-honoring Christian life, as Paul wrote, “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:11). Is that possible? YES! Can I do that on my own? NO! Remember this — God’s commands always imply God’s enablings. Will you trust Him to do the work in and through you?