Crucified With Christ
February 14, 2020
by Dan Li
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Gal 2:20
When we come to the realization, through revelation from God (Gal 1:11-12), perhaps when He shows us in His Word, or when He speaks to our heart, He opens our eyes and our heart to understand that it is His plan that we be crucified with Christ.. “For I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me…”
And we truly understand that it is not me serving God from my flesh, my old man, my natural abilities or strengths (Gal 3), but it is Christ in me that does this, it is His presence, His mind, His Spirit that lives through me, and that in order for that to happen, I have to be crucified with Christ (so that it is no longer I who live (to do or not to do) but Christ Who lives in me). This is a foreign concept to the natural mind.. it is spiritually understood/discerned and cannot be understood through the flesh.
So, how is a person crucified with Christ? We know that it corresponds to baptism (Rom 6:4-7), but we know that the water we are dunked in does not do the work, baptism only a work we do outwardly- an outward expression of the inward work that has already been done by God. Crucifying has the affect of putting the flesh to death.
Now we are told in Romans 12:1-2, that we are to be a living sacrifice, that this is our reasonable service- our continual spiritual act of worship. Paul said, “I die daily” (1 Cor 15:31). He doesn’t die to one part of the flesh only to be controlled by another aspect of his fleshly mind, no, he dies completely to the flesh, and renews this daily. Paul writes “by the Spirit, put to death the deeds of the flesh” (Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do put to death (mortify)the deeds of the body (flesh), ye shall live.).
It is the Spirit that brings death to the flesh. James writes that though we are tempted by the devil, we are able to be drawn away by our own desires of the flesh- if those are alive in us. So, we must put to death the flesh. We do this by turning to Jesus, but only if once we have come to the place that we have been crucified with Him on His cross, that we can do this. We must lay every sin and inclination to sin at the foot of the cross of Jesus, confess this to Him, and by faith, put it to death there – every part of us that is not of God, piece by piece, as they come to you. Do this as often as the flesh or its desires present themselves to you, to try to stand or be a part of your life.
Now, Jesus did not crucify Himself. We can say that Jesus was crucified by the Jews or by the Romans, or by sinful man and still be correct, but what does Scripture teach us, Isaiah 53:10-11,“Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him;HHe hath put Himto grief: when Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities. So, Isaiah speaking the words of God, spoke of God the Father as the One who did this, for us– hard to take in, that our sin cost this. “For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whoever believes on Him would not perish but have everlasting life.”
This is understood fully by faith, but hard to take in, ask the song Amazing Grace says, “that on that cross, my burden gladly bearing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in”. In obedience to the Father, even to the point of death- not just death but a torturous death on the cross, Jesus went to the cross (It was the Father’s plan, it was done by the Father, Jesus had direction and knew what He was to do, while in the flesh, to go to the cross.
Jesus had even told Peter and the other apostles about this, long before, and Peter, in the flesh (savoring the things of man, instead of God), attempted to dissuade Jesus from the will of God the Father, which Jesus rebuked as from the Devil, saying Peter did not have the things of God in/on his mind but the things of man- and this was how the Devil got a foothold into Peter.
Jesus knew what He had to do, the timing of all this was also by the will of the Father, Jesus did not choose the time, place, method, or manner that He was to be obedient to the Father in- the Father did. In the same way, we do not choose how to serve God, where, when, or in what manner, but all by the will of God. We do not get to choose how or if we will suffer, or when, where, etc, but we too must be obedient to God by faith, even unto death. Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
In this verse, are all the elements of true worship:
1) We are a living sacrifice- our life lived fully unto God,
2) We are to be holy and acceptable unto God,
3) It is our “reasonable service”, or some translations say “our spiritual act of worship”, but the King James captures it well by saying it is our reasonable service- what is expected, normal, the way all Christians are to live, not an unusual requirement, but “of course” (see Luke 17:10),
4) Not to be conformed to the world- we are not to change into the character or nature of the world but into the image of Jesus Christ, through the renewing of our minds (God does this, not man as some have falsely taught– we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus)- taking on the mind of Christ, not our own but His transformation of our mind (be transformed, not transform yourself),
5) That we may prove (this means exhibit, be true in us) what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God– this is perfection which can only be done by Christ in you and cannot be done by the strength or abilities that come from yourself, your flesh, but only by Christ in you.
In there you can see that worship is not done my way, when, where, how, or in what manner, or to minister unto who I wish, but rather by the will of God- worship must be done God’s way, God’s timing, unto God (not man), else it isn’t true worship, and true worship according to this verse is what is expected of those who are bought/redeemed with the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. “You are not your own, you were bought with a price”. We don’t get to choose this! God alone does this.
Everyone who wants to suffer today, raise your hands– quickly all the hands– raise them up, quick. No hands? They are torturing Christians today- all who want to be tortured for Christ, raise your hands– quick raise them up. No hands? How about a difficult situation- can God put you through a difficult situation that you have to live through, for His purposes in you? Does He do things like this to Christians? Did He do it to His own Son? Do we see this taught in the New Testament?- Yes we do, over and over.
Yes He does this.. Yet there are some who teach that God only wants to bless you.. that is sort of true- but their definition of blessing is not the same as the one the Bible (God) uses. The Bible teaches us that the greatest blessing is having Jesus formed in us, and having Him means having eternal life in Jesus Christ. Jesus being formed in us is a process that involves us taking up our cross and following Him.. a living sacrifice, not a life lived for ourselves, nor a life lived for/towards God by our own abilities- no one can do that, Jesus said “without Me, you can do nothing”.
If it is you who does it, you could receive the glory for what you have done for Christ. But Scriptures teach “I will not share my glory with another”. And in Revelations, the saints who have received the crown of life cast their crowns down to Jesus because it is Him who did the work through them- with them saying “worthy, worthy. is the Lamb of God, to receive glory and honor and power, forever”.
We are but vessels of the presence and person of Jesus Christ– that is, when we have ceased from our own strivings, trusting in our own arm, and now finding it is Christ who lives in me who does these things.. not me of myself, but me fully submitted to the power and Person of the Holy Spirit in me, who does the work.
References:
Death to self (the flesh), and alive in Christ
Galatians 2:20 Gal
2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. Gal 2:21 I do not frustrate (annul) the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing."
(Frustrate) G114 ἀθετέω atheteō ath-et-eh’-o
From a compound of G1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of G5087; to set aside that is (by implication) to disesteem neutralize or violate: – cast off despise disannul frustrate bring to nought reject.
If dead to self (the flesh), and alive in Christ, body of sin is dead- no longer serve sin (baptism is only the outward symbol of this)
Rom 6:4-7 Rom 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life. Rom 6:5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection; Rom 6:6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified
with Him, so that the body of sin may be done away with, that we should no longer serve sin. Rom 6:7 For he who has died has been justified from sin. Rom 6:8 But if we died with Christ, we believe that we also shall live together with Him,
2 Cor 13:4 For although He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we are weak in Him, yet we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.
––If we are alive (live) by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit (how we live-out Christ in our lives).
Gal 5:24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. Gal 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Gal 5:26 Let us not
become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
By the Spirit, able to put to death the flesh.
Romans 8
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
[are we minding the things of the Spirit?]
G5426 φρονέω phroneō fron-eh’-o
From G5424; to exercise the mind that is entertain or have a
sentiment or opinion; by implication to be (mentally) disposed (more
or less earnestly in a certain direction); intensively to interest
oneself in (with concern or obedience): – set the affection on (be)
care (-ful) (be like- + be of one + be of the same + let this) mind
(-ed regard savour think.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do put to death (mortify) the deeds of the body (flesh), ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself
beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
1 Cor 15:31
29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
34 Awake to
righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
36 Thou fool, that
which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
…
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural
body, and there is a spiritual body.
45 And so it is
written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the
work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Perfection through obedience and subsequent suffering:
Heb 5:8 though He was a Son, He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. Heb 5:9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,
Philippians 2:
1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but
now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings (or complaining):
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
…
21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.
Mark 8:31 And He began to teach them that it was necessary for the Son of Man to suffer many things, and to be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and to be killed, and after three days to rise. Mark 8:32 He was speaking this word with boldness. And Peter, taking Him aside, began to rebuke Him. Mark 8:33 But when He had turned and saw His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."
James 1:12-17
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receivethe crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
1 Cor 2:14-15 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1Cor 2:15 But he that is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is discerned by no man.
Gal 1:11-12 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 3
1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Jesus did what the Father showed Him to do:
John 5:30 I can of My own self do nothing. Even as I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.
Jesus did not come in His own name:
John 5:43 I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. John
John 7:28 Therefore Jesus cried out, as He was teaching in the temple, saying, "You both know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of my own accord, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. John 7:29 I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me."
John 8:50 And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks it and who judges. John 8:51 Most assuredly I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall by no means experience death."
John 12:47 And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come that I might judge the world, but that I might save the
world. John 12:48 He that rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him— the word which I spoke, that word will judge him in the last day. John 12:49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.
John 14:10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words which I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who abides in Me does the works. John 14:11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me, but if not, believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.
1 Cor 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 1Cor 6:20 For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
ALL for Jesus (pattern: give up whatever is precious to you, whatever holds you back from loving me with all your heart, and follow Me)
Matt 10:37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. Matt 10:38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. Matt 10:39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. Matt 10:40 "He that receives you receives Me, and he that receives Me receives Him who sent Me.
Matt 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Matt 16:25 For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life on account of Me shall find it. Matt 16:26 For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give as an exchange for his soul?
John 21:17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you care for Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you care for Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I care for You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep. John 21:18 Most assuredly I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and used to walk where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your
hands, and another will dress you and will carry you where you do not wish." John 21:19 But this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."
John 21:20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had reclined on His chest at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?" John 21:21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?" John 21:22 Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me."
Ps 89:15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. Ps 89:16 In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted. Ps 89:17 For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted. Ps 89:18 For the Lord is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.
Isa 48:11 For Mine own sake, even for Mine own sake, will I do it: for how should My name be polluted? and I will not give My glory unto another.
Rev 7:10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. Rev 7:11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Rev 7:12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. Rev 7:13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? Rev 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their
robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
