Lesson 2: Galatians 2:20

A. SCRIPTURE

“I am (have been) crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20, KJV).

1. A mystery the world can’t understand. “This mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27).

2. Our prayer for it to happen. “That Christ may dwell in your heartsthrough faith” (Eph. 3:17).

3. Our proof of salvation. “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith . . . how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”

(II Cor. 13:5).

4. Living in two worlds. “Ye in Me and I in you” (John 14:20, 17:23).

"Abide in me and I in you” (John 15:4-5; I John 3:24, 4:13).

Divine Paradox

I was crucified- I live in my body

Past-tense death- I no longer live

I live by bodily desires- I now live

Christ lives in my body- Present indwelling

Christ lives through me- I live by God’s faith

B. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST?

1. I don’t crucify myself, but I enter a complete action. “I have been crucified with Christ” (v. 20).

2. God put me into Calvary, i.e., past action. “We were baptized with Him in death, so that when He was raised, we received new life and a new ability to live for God” (Rom. 6:3, ELT). “We become one with

Christ when He died and in the same way we became one with Him in resurrection” (Rom. 6:5, ELT).

3. What happened when I received Christ (got saved)?

• All my sins are forgiven. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (I John 1:7).

• I received eternal life. “Should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

• I received a new nature. “Therefore if any man is in Christ, he has a new nature, the old is gone, the new has come” (II Cor. 5:17, ELT).

• I am declared perfect in God’s sight. “Therefore we have been justified (declared righteous) by our faith” (Rom. 5:1, ELT).

4. What you can’t do:

• You can’t keep the Law to get saved. “Whoever keeps the whole law yet breaks just one point, is guilty of breaking all the law” (James 2:10, ELT).

• You can’t crucify yourself to get holy. “And they that are Christ’s have crucified (nailed them to the cross) the flesh with the affections and lusts” (Gal. 5:24).

• You can’t get victory with self effort. “God forbid that I should boast about anything except the cross, by which the attractions of the world are put to death” (Gal. 6:14, LB).

• You must surrender to get victory. “Neither yield ye your members (body) . . . unto sin: but yield yourself to God” (Rom. 6:13).

C. LIVING IN THE HEAVENLIES

1. Living in two worlds. “Christ in you” is your life on earth. “You in Christ” is your new life in heaven.

2. We live non-experientially in heaven. “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ . . . and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus”

(Eph. 2:5-6).

You in Christ – position - justified

Unsaved  Christ in you – place – born again

3. The old self-centered life died with Christ, so act on it. “Reckon (consider) ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:11).

4. You received a new Christ-centered life from His resurrection, so act on it. “You died with Him, so to speak, when He died, now share His new life” Rom. 6:5, LB).

5. You must live by the power of His faith, i.e., surrender. “The life I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God” (Gal. 2:20).

WHAT MUST YOU DO

• You must want God’s victory.

• You must determine not to sin.

• You must yield to Christ’s strength within you.

• You must turn away from temptation.

• You must separate from sinful influences.

• You must rest (settle down) in Christ’s power.

• You must get water baptized to complete the symbolism.

• You must be active in the local church, His body on earth.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.