Christianity is not about following a list of rules or adhering to religious traditions. Christianity is a fundamental transformation of who we are, our very souls. The Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, is that he died and rose again – not just to get us a ticket to heaven, but to transform our lives.
Galatians 2:20 is a familiar passage, one which many of us have memorized. It is a beautiful summary statement of the Gospel transformation, but it is also intensely personal. Paul states what Christ has done in his life in the first person. It is a verse I memorized years ago, and I meditate on often. It is a reminder of my truest reality and it feeds my soul. As we look at it again, be reminded of who you truly are in Christ.
“I have been crucified with Christ.”
Because of my trust in Christ, I have been spiritually united with him, so his death is my death. The record of my sins, and my sinful nature itself, died on the cross with Jesus. My old self is dead.
“It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”
So, since I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live. This doesn’t mean I cease to be a person or have a personality, but my old sinful life and prideful identity no longer are living. Now Christ lives in me. He defines me. Just as I died with him, I have been raised with him. He is my life and identity. He drives me and empowers me.
“And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
The life I now live in this earthly body – my new life – I live by faith in Christ. That means that every breath, every thought, every word, every action, only happens because of Christ’s work in my life. I live trusting in him. My life is in his hands. The Son of God loved me and gave himself up. He died for me and he rose for me. He knows me, loves me, and wants me.
Despite the hardships of life, despite my own brokenness that remains, despite the patterns of sin that still limp on, this is my reality. This is my identity. Christ lives in me.
Read Galatians 2:20 again. Meditate on your new identity. Soak it up. This is who you are!