 |  |
CRUCIFIED (Gal. 2: 20).
pp. 75 - 77
The statement of Paul in Gal. 2: 20, "I have been crucified with Christ," is one to be
pondered over and not to be lightly taken on to our lips.
True it may be that by the grace of God we may take our stand with Paul and say that
we have died with Christ, but the added thought of being crucified together with Him
seems to convey something more. The term is used again in Gal. 5: 24 & 6: 14., and
these passages seem to teach that crucifixion with Christ involves the passions and
desires of the flesh, and the crucifixion of self to the world.
"But they who are Christ's crucified the flesh, with the passions and desires. If we
live by spirit, by spirit we should also walk."
"But it may not be for me to boast, save in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, through
which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world . . . . . a new creation . . . . .
walk by this rule."
The life lived after having been crucified does not follow the leadings of the flesh nor
seek the things of the world. Its walk is by spirit and according to the new creation. The
thought seems to be not so much the fact that they who have died with Christ live by
Him, but that having by grace penetrated somewhat into the "offence of the cross," and
learned God's opinion of the flesh and the world, they seek grace to manifest the life they
have in Christ by a walk in harmony with their calling. Oh for grace to rise to such
heights as these!
"The life I now live in the flesh" (Gal. 2: 20).
We are apt sometimes to forget that the blessings of redemption operate now. The
Apostle Paul was keenly awake to the present claims of God in Christ. When rebuking
Peter for not walking in accord with the truth of the gospel he makes the interesting
personal statement:--
"I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, yet no longer I, but Christ lives in me,
but the life I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me,
and gave Himself up for me."
If Paul could say that he had died to the law, and had been crucified with Christ
(Gal. 2: 20), he must have lived a resurrection life if he lived at all. He says, "yet I
live," but explains, "yet no longer I, but there liveth in me--Christ." To make his
meaning quite clear he continues, "The life I now live." There is no doubt about it being
present, still further he says, "in the flesh." There is no doubt that it is not merely dealing
with spiritual promises or experiences. These words bring before us the tremendous fact
that the redeemed believer may experience "the power of His resurrection" before
resurrection comes.