Live a Crucified Life!

Live a Crucified Life!

The apostle Paul writes a very powerful personal testimony in Gal. 2:20: “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.” Not everyone can give such a personal testimony about themselves. This is how it was for Paul; therefore, he could write these words with complete certainty. He preached the word of the cross with power because he lived it every day.

For everyone who lives a crucified life, “I, me, and mine” are crucified. They seek the things which are of Jesus Christ, and they live by faith in the Son of God.

Paul also writes about himself, that God forbid that he should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. By the cross, the world had been crucified to him, and he to the world. Here, the cross leads to a clear separation from the world. Gal. 6:14.

Jesus had a gospel for everyone in Luke 9:23: “Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’” Paul also exhorted the Corinthians: “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” 1 Cor. 11:1.

In all the letters that Paul wrote, we find help and guidance. There we read about Jesus, our forerunner, who we can follow; about Him who took up His cross and was obedient unto death on the cross.

The Galatians were foolish. Therefore, Paul wrote to them: “Who has bewitched you . . . before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?” Gal. 3:1. May we not be among the foolish when it comes to using the cross in our situations. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Cor. 1:18. The power of the cross is evident in that the body of sin is done away with and that we are increasingly transformed into the image of Jesus.

Paul exhorts us in Phil. 3:17: “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.” Let us be such examples, so that others will also receive a desire, and be inspired, to take up their cross every day.

In the time of the apostles, there were many who were enemies of the cross of Christ; therefore, Paul writes in verse 18: “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.” They were enemies because they did not practice the word they heard in their personal lives. They had only a form of godliness, but denied its power. 2 Tim. 3:5.

If I live a crucified life, then Christ has become my head, who leads me. Johan O. Smith writes in WotL 361, verse 2: “By God’s word, He strength bestows to live aright from hour to hour.” Through this, Jesus’ virtues become more and more apparent in my life. May the word of the cross be with us every day, so that we belong to Jesus Christ and have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Gal. 5:24. If I am in this race, I come already here to a glorious, abundant, and happy life.