Crucified

Jesus was crucified (Gk. “stauroo”) on a cross (Gk. “stauro”). He was put to death there. On the cross Jesus died for our sins. It was there that the penalty we deserved to pay was taken off of us. We ought to have a great appreciation for the benefit we have received from our Lord being crucified. However, in our relationship to Him we must also recognize the crucifixion that is to have taken place in our own life.

Paul, writing to the churches of Galatia stated…
“(19) For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST. (20) 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.” ( Galatians 2:19-20 ESV)

…and…

“And those who belong to Christ Jesus HAVE CRUCIFIED THE FLESH WITH ITS PASSIONS AND DESIRES.” ( Galatians 5:24 ESV)

…and also…

“But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which THE WORLD HAS BEEN CRUCIFIED TO ME, AND I TO THE WORLD.” ( Galatians 6:14 ESV)

Paul kept going back to the cross. The cross had been a symbol of shame and the crucified Christ was a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. ( 1 Corinthians 1:23) However, to Paul it was glorious. The cross of Christ was not only central to salvation, but central to the living out of the Christian life as well. Connected to the cross was a crucifixion that set Paul free FROM SELF, from THE FLESH, and from THE WORLD. All this, Paul contended throughout the Galatian letter, the law and circumcision were powerless to do! The cutting off of flesh (circumcision; sign of a Jew) was not sufficient, but rather the crucifixion of the entire self and its connection to whatever else was outside of Christ. It is only through our connection to Christ and being crucified with Him that such freedom is possible. Having been crucified with Christ we have put off SELF, the power of THE FLESH, and THE INFLUENCE OF THE WORLD. It is then through being completely crucified in this way that we can truly be “a new creation” in Christ. ( Galatians 6:15) May our life declare where we see the true glory rests!

Have a great day SEEKING THE TRUE GLORY CONNECTED TO CHRIST!
Carl

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