“I have been crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20)

The Lord Jesus Christ was our representative as the “second Adam”. He lived a perfect life and died a perfect death to redeem those who were under the curse of the first Adam. “For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22).

He paid in full what was due justice for all who would believe on Him. The apostle Paul delighted to think that as one of Christ’s chosen people, he died upon the cross with Christ. He did more than believe this doctrinally, he accepted it confidently, resting his hope upon it.

Beloved, what a blessed thing it is when the soul can, as it were, stretch itself upon the cross of Christ, and feel, “I am dead; the law has slain me, and I am therefore free from its power, because I’m IN Christ, I’ve borne the curse, and IN Him, whatever the  law condemned, has been executed upon me, for I am crucified with Christ.”

But Paul meant even more than this. He not only believed in Christ’s death, and trusted in it for his forgiveness, but he actually felt its power in himself, causing the crucifixion of his Old Man.

When he looked at the pleasures of sin, he said, “I can’t enjoy these: I’m dead to them.” Such is the experience of every true Christian. Having received Christ, he’s dead to the world. Yet, while conscious of being dead to the world, he can, at the same time, exclaim with the apostle, though “it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Dead to the world, alive unto God.

The Christian’s life is a matchless riddle. No worldling can comprehend it; even the believer himself can’t fully understand it. Dead, yet alive! crucified with Christ, and yet at the same time risen with Christ in newness of life! Union with the suffering, bleeding Savior, and death to the world and sin! Oh, the overcoming Life!