A Crucified Life

"But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ¹⁵ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation."

Galatians 6:14-15

The triumph of Jesus was culminated by His death on the cross and subsequent resurrection.  Not only was the blood of Jesus shed to atone for the sins of the world, but the Law which condemned all men was nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14).  The death of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world provided the killing blow to the power of the enemy to condemn or destroy all who repent and receive the Gospel.

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul draws upon the imagery of the cross to reveal another accomplishment of Christ for all who trust in Him.  The world had been crucified to Paul, and Paul had been crucified to the world.  The world under the sway of Satan was rendered powerless by the death of Jesus on the cross.  The world which used to influence our minds and hearts, the things which once held us in bondage, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lure of the lust of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life had been dealt a death blow.  When a cruel tyrant is killed, the people once oppressed rejoice and shout for joy.  The one who once exerted power over them is now powerless in death.  This is the case for all who have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus.  The power of sin to control, addict, and oppress us has been conquered by Christ's victory, and we can walk in newness of life and freedom.

Christ accomplished much more than ending sin's reign of terror in our lives.  He has transformed us into new creations, and is now enabled to live His life through His redeemed by the Holy Spirit.  This world has been crucified to us, and we have been crucified to this world.  The spiritual reality of Christ's death and resurrection is our flesh has been stricken of power to dominate and control us for evil.  Satan, the world, and our flesh only have the amount of power we allow or give them.  The truth is, we don't need to give a place to the devil or let the demands of the flesh rule our lives any more.  This is the reality for all who are in Christ, not something we say to convince ourselves.  "Positive thinking" has nothing to do with walking in victory.  Knowledge of our identity in Christ and the reality of what He has accomplished must impact our minds and hearts.  Once we are convinced of the reality of Christ's victory at the cross and our new nature free from the power of sin apart from our works, knowledge mixed with faith and obedience paves the way for us to walk in absolute victory.

The early church struggled with legalism, as many do to this day.  Paul's emphasis was not on touting circumcision or justifying uncircumcision, but our need to be "in Christ Jesus."  Through Him the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  If you are in Christ, the world has been crucified to you and you to the world.  Does your life demonstrate this reality?  The rule of Satan, the world, and the flesh has been forever vanquished by grace through faith in Christ.  If we have been freed from bondage, why should we return to bondage?  The efforts of the flesh could not save, perfect, empower, or deliver us.  Only Jesus can do that!  it is not what we have done, but according to His mercy He has saved, is saving, and will save us!