20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in 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. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. ~ Galatians 2:20-21
Righteousness is not through the law, but through Jesus. Paul explained that if he continued to seek righteousness through keeping the law, then he would nullify, or render void, the grace of God. But instead, he says, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”
What he is saying here is, he no longer lives for himself, the things he now does is not for his own self benefit, but he is totally and completely led by the Holy Spirit. He lives his life as a sacrifice to Jesus so that others may benefit and see his good deeds and glorify the Father who is in heaven. Paul realizes the greatness of the love of Jesus, and because of that love, he confidently puts his trust and hope in Jesus, the Son of God.
As for us, whenever we become angry when someone insults us, or say some manner of evil against us, we are not living a crucified life. Road rage is not of God, it is not characteristic of being crucified with Christ. Whenever we want to return lashing for lashing, hit for hit, and insult for insult, we have not been crucified with Christ. When we are crucified with Christ, we do not live to fulfill our own lusts, or greeds, but rather we live to please Jesus.
Let us turn our lives over to Jesus, and live a Crucified life with Him, so that when the trials of this life comes they do not knock us off track, or blow us off course.
Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to live a crucified life and not try to fulfill my own selfish desires, in Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
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