Called 4 Jesus

By TA York

Galatians 2:20
“I 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.”

You’ve probably heard this as a quote, read it on a plaque, or maybe even preached it from behind the pulpit. What image do you get when you read this text? Jesus hanging on the cross? That’s what I used to see. It never occurred to me what the true meaning was.

Today, I’d like to share what I learned as we break down this powerful verse together.

I believe there are several messages in being crucified with Christ, but let’s start with the foundation of this truth.

The Reality of Our Crucifixion

“I have been crucified…” We know Jesus was crucified, and even why He was crucified. Yet as believers, we too have been crucified!

To be crucified means to be put to death by being nailed or bound to a cross. It was a method of capital punishment used in the ancient world, resulting in a slow and painful death by asphyxiation. But for us as Christians, this crucifixion carries profound spiritual meaning.

Simply put, the cross is meant to destroy, utterly demolish, and strip away anything that is not of God. Our old identity, our selfish desires, our negative feelings—all are wiped away on the cross. Why does God allow this painful process? So He can transform us into what He needs us to be.

This transformation is beautifully described in Romans 12:1-2: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

The Cost of Transformation

In reality, this transformation is a painful process. The question we must ask ourselves is: How much of yourself can you offer to God?

Perhaps we start small—only one arm on the cross, experiencing just a little discomfort. But God asks that we place our whole body on the cross, holding nothing back.

“I have been crucified with Christ.” We are called to be nailed with Him—exposed and vulnerable to the world, feeling the rough wood cutting our skin, experiencing pain while still breathing this world’s air. This imagery may seem harsh, but it reveals a profound truth.

We should die next to our Savior—not as punishment for our sins, but to bring glory to God’s kingdom. As Jesus taught in John 12:24: “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

When we willingly place our bodies on the sacrificial altar, we must trust the process. The knife comes down, yet we should not move. Why? Because it’s a surgical blade, removing the cancer, the plagues, and the sickness of this world from our lives.

Once this spiritual surgery is complete, our minds are renewed, and we begin to understand better what God’s will is for us.

The Promise of New Life

Here’s the encouragement we desperately need: Do not fear—Jesus is on the cross next to you. The verse continues with these hopeful words: “I no longer live.” And here’s the most glorious part: “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”

Think about this incredible exchange: Aren’t you willing to give up your old life so that Jesus will live in you? This isn’t loss—it’s the greatest gain imaginable.

Let me share a personal example of how this truth plays out in daily life. I have three kinds of arthritis and kidney problems. The doctors are confused that I’m not dying, and some days are very painful. Yet through it all, I feel His peace, comfort, and joy sustaining me.

It breaks my heart when people don’t want to experience Jesus in this way. The realization of His love is so overwhelming that there are no words to express it adequately. I’m so filled spiritually, physically, and mentally that there is nothing that can replace Jesus. It doesn’t matter what tomorrow brings because Jesus will never leave or forsake me. I’m completely safe in His arms.

Living by Faith

The verse concludes: “The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God.”

This raises an important question: Who am I now? This body that has died with Christ has no control over this new life. The cross has completely killed my old self. My sins and my fallen nature are dead. In this state, our humanity as Christians is not our reality—only God’s grace through surrender defines us.

This is the freedom that Christ promises, and it’s unlike anything the world offers. I’m free in mind, spirit, and soul. The joy is continuous and unshakeable.

As Jesus declared in John 8:36: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Embracing Daily Freedom

This freedom isn’t just a one-time experience—it’s meant to be lived out daily. We can be set free every day through prayer and devotion, continually surrendering ourselves to the transforming power of the cross.

The invitation stands before each of us: Will we join Christ on the cross, allowing our old selves to die so that He might live through us? The choice is ours, but the promise remains constant—in losing our lives, we find true life in Him.

God bless.