Digging Deep 69 Topic: The Crucified Life

INTRODUCTION: Paul said in Galatians 2:20 that “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, but not I Christ liveth in me…” How can a man be crucified and at the same time he is alive? What does it means to live a crucified life? What does Paul mean by saying “Christ liveth in Me? This and many other questions we will try and answer in this study in JESUS name.

1. THE CRUCIFIED LIFE IS ONE EXPECTING THE RAPTURE: Death as Christians knows it does not mean the end of life. Yet Christians have to be dead to certain things: that is there are certain things he will never do anymore or support doing. These include flesh and the lust thereof, lust and pleasure of the world. Galatians 5:17, Galatians 6:14, Colossians 2:13. It is important that we are crucified with Christ, so that (i) we will not continue in sin. (ii) we can grow in the Spirit (iii) So that we can please God (iv) we can have new life and peace (v) we might reign with Christ during his appearing – Romans 8:3-9, Colossians 2:11-14, Romans 6:8, Colossians 3:3-6, John 14:19-20.

2. BEING DEAD TO SIN LIVES TREMENDOUS GROWTH IN THE SPIRIT: The world will constantly tempt us and this is why we must be dead daily to all the world ropes that Satan might be throwing. Also, since the body is dead, the Spirit will overrule and the Christian will b established and rooted in God, until we are empowered in the knowledge and fullness of God – II Corinthians 4:10-11, II Corinthians 13:3-5, Ephesians 3:16-17, Colossians 1:23-27, I Thessalonians 5:9-10. Being crucified with Christ is like inflicting oneself with punishment but is a truthful life to enjoy divine deep fellowship. This is because flesh is a co-worker with Satan, a spy in his army and terribly dangerous enemy too. I Peter 4:1-2, Revelation 3:20, II Corinthians 10:3.

3. THE CRUCIFIED LIFE IS ONE THAT LIVES BY FAITH IN JESUS AND IS POWERFUL: being crucified with Christ, according to the experience of some Christians is a life of faith. It is faith in a hidden power and grace of God that makes the crucified life not only possible but also with peace, joy and glorious hope Gal 3:11, John 6:57, Romans 1:17, Romans 6:1-2, II Corinthians 1:24, II Corinthians 5:7, 14-15, Philippians 4:13, I Peter 1:8-9. Jesus gave himself for you, not only to save your soul but also that victorious Christian life might be yours also, with unfilthiness and holiness. He loves you and he will make you more than an overcomer, if you allow him to do that for you. Titus 2:11-14, Gal. 1:3-4, Matt. 20:28, John 10:11, John 15:13-14, Rom.8:37