Our living God Pt 9: Christ lives in me

Galatians 2:19-21                  19“For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God.  20I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  21I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

I died to the Law and now live for God

"For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God."  This profound declaration by the Apostle Paul highlights a pivotal transformation—one that every new believer is invited to experience.  The law, with its commandments and ordinances, served as a tutor leading us to the awareness of our sinful nature.  It was never intended as a means for salvation but rather to reveal humanity’s desperate need for a Savior.  To "die to the law" means that the law no longer holds authority over us as the means to achieve righteousness.  Paul, once a Pharisee who meticulously followed the Mosaic Law, recognized that adherence to rules could never justify anyone before God.  Instead, it pointed out human flaws, exposing sin without offering the power to overcome it.  For the new believer, this realization is liberating.  It shifts the focus from self-effort to divine grace.

Living for Christ emerges from this death to the law.  It is not a life of lawlessness but one guided by the Holy Spirit, marked by love, faith, and obedience born out of relationship rather than obligation.  When we die to the law, we are reborn into a life where Christ is the center, and our actions flow from gratitude and devotion, not from fear of condemnation.

I have been crucified with Christ

"I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." This verse encapsulates the essence of Christian identity.  It is transformative to realize that what once was intended to be a torture device, has become the way chosen by God to set a person free.  Crucifixion symbolizes complete death—not partial, not metaphorical, but total.  For Paul, and for every believer, this means that the old self, with its sinful desires and reliance on personal merit, has been put to death.

Being crucified with Christ is more than an abstract concept; it’s a spiritual reality.  At the moment of faith in Jesus, we are united with Him in His death.  Our past sins, our old nature, and our attempts to earn God's favor through works are nailed to the cross.  This does not mean we no longer face struggles or temptations, but the power and penalty of sin no longer define us.

For the new believer, understanding this truth is transformative.  It means that your past mistakes, failures, and sins do not determine your standing with God.  They have been dealt with on the cross.  Now, your identity is rooted in Christ’s victory.  You live not by striving to be good enough but by embracing the fact that Christ's sacrifice was sufficient.

Christ lives in me

"The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." This is the heart of the Christian life: Christ living within us.  The indwelling presence of Jesus through the Holy Spirit is not a distant theological idea; it is an intimate, daily reality.  Christ living in you means you are never alone.  His strength becomes your strength, His wisdom your guidance, and His love your assurance.  This relationship is dynamic and personal.  It transforms how you think, act, and relate to others.  The life you now live is characterized by faith—trusting in Jesus not just for salvation but for every moment of your existence.

For the new believer, this truth offers incredible hope.  Your spiritual growth is not about self-improvement programs but about deepening your connection with Christ.  As you cultivate this relationship through prayer, Scripture, and community with other believers, you will see His character reflected in your life.  This is not about perfection but about progression, growing in grace as Christ’s life becomes more evident in you.

If righteousness could be gained through the Law

Galatians 2:21 concludes with a sobering reminder: "I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"  This statement challenges any notion that human effort can achieve what only the grace of God provides.

If it were possible to earn righteousness through good works, religious rituals, or moral behavior, then Christ’s death would be unnecessary.  The cross would be rendered meaningless.  But the truth is clear: salvation is by grace through faith, not by works, so that no one can boast.  

8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.  10For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

This grace is a gift, not a reward for performance.  It humbles and frees.  It humbles us because it confronts our pride, showing that we cannot save ourselves.  It frees us because it lifts the burden of trying to be "good enough."  Instead, we rest in the finished work of Christ.  Our good works are not a means to earn God’s favor but a response to His incredible love.

What about me?

To the average person, the phrase, “I have been crucified with Christ” is astounding, even borders on the absurd.  But it is a spiritual reality, which, when embraced, causes a lifelong transformative, structural change in a person’s life.

These verses offer a profound blueprint for any believing person.  It calls us to die to the law and live for Christ, to embrace our crucifixion with Him, to experience the reality of Christ living in us, and to rest in the grace that makes righteousness possible.  This journey is not about religious performance but about a relationship with the living Christ.  As you walk this path, may you discover the depth of His love, the power of His presence, and the joy of living by faith in the Son of God, who loved you and gave Himself for you.