The Lighthouse Devotional
Author: Kim Jackson
SCRIPTURE PASSAGE
“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” (Gal 2:20 NIV).
PERSONAL REFLECTION
Merriam-Webster confirms that to crucify is: (i) “to put to death by nailing or binding the wrists or hands and feet to a cross”; or (ii) “to destroy the power of the flesh.” Jesus did what the Law could not do for me when He hung on the Cross. Like Paul, I, too—my sinful nature, the “old man” (Rom 6:6; Col 3:9–10; Eph 4:22–24)—have been crucified with Christ on the Cross. Furthermore, I must follow Jesus’ life of self-sacrifice and accept his death as my model for life (Phil 3:8, 10, 17; 1 Pet 4:13).
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
Paul instructs the Galatians about the difference between justification by the works of the Law and justification by faith in Jesus Christ. He affirms that no one is made righteous by the Law but by faith in Christ only (Gal 2:16; cf. Rom 3:22; 9:30). Having been crucified with Christ, Christian disciples are no longer enslaved by sin, following the desires of the flesh (Rom 6:6; Gal 5:24; 6:14). Instead, we have died to sin, and our lives are hidden with Christ in God (Col 2:20; 3:3).
Christians live in the flesh. However, more importantly, we live by faith in Christ, following the lead of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us (John 14:16–17). God’s Spirit empowers us to pursue God, His kingdom, and His righteousness (John 16:7–15). We belong to God. We do not practice sin, and sin does not control us (1 John 3:9–10). Indeed, we are dead to sin but alive to God (Rom 6:1–6). And being crucified with Christ, who loves and rescues us from sin (Gal 1:4; cf. 1 John 3:16), destroys the power of sin over us.
EXHORTATION
To be crucified with Christ is to allow Christ to rule our lives, freeing us from enslavement to sin. Therefore, let us surrender ourselves entirely to Christ so that it is no longer we who live but Christ who lives within us, bringing us into right relationship with God.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, help us understand the meaning and implication of being crucified with Christ. Thank You for Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection that enable us to live in right relationship with You, our righteous and holy God. Though we do not fully grasp the extent of Your love for us (Eph 3:19), we know that we were helpless, ungodly sinners when You sent Christ to die for us (Rom 5:6–8). And for this, we ascribe to You all glory, thanksgiving, honor, and power through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.