“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
This verse is not morbid but beautiful. The image of being crucified with Christ doesn’t put us on the cross beside him like the criminals. We are reminded that when we are Christ- followers we have the assurance that we can have salvation from our faith and not being bound by the law. This is a good verse to have memorized because of it’s implications on our salvation.
Context: This verse comes during a conversation between the apostle Paul and Peter, the disciple. Their conversation may have been a bit “heated” as their topic involved Gentile vs. Jew and the importance of following or not following the law of Moses. Those were big issues for the early believers to work out. Gentiles did not know all those laws, and Paul had been preaching that it didn’t matter because faith and trust in Jesus is what counts.
Paul was born and raised a Jew, and he had been very devout in his faith and following the law. The same was true for Peter. Both men knew that when Jesus came everything changed. Since God called Paul to preach to the Gentiles, his focus was not on all the laws that had shaped his life. That’s why he says his “old self has been crucified with Christ.”
While we can’t necessarily relate to that intensity, we can be thankful for the promise of new life. We aren’t bound by laws when we have Christ living inside our hearts. Having read through the Old Testament and reflected on those laws over the past number of years, I’m thrilled to trust Christ to lead my life.
I don’t think either Paul or Peter would say that the laws aren’t relevant. The laws were put into place by God as a way of caring for his people. God still cares for his people, but we’re a wayward bunch who failed desperately at following the laws that were meant for our benefit and to draw us closer to God.
For me, the laws are a glimpse at the heart of God and should be respected. They mere fact they are part of Holy Scripture is enough for me to take pause and pay attention. Thankfully, Jesus came to rescue us from strict obedience to those laws. Jesus fulfilled the law. Jesus said in his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:17, “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.”
Paul reminds us that Jesus came, accomplished his purpose, and gave himself for us. Jesus laid down his life for us. For you and for me. How do you respond to that?
Let’s pray. My Savior King, I cannot begin to fathom all that you endured for me. Help me to never take your love for granted. I think of my old self, lost in sin without hope. With you in my life I have been set free. I cherish that you live inside me, guiding me and giving me strength for each new day. Forgive me for all that I have done and said that are contrary to your will and desire for my life. May I stay focused on you alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
