“I have been crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” — Galatians 2:20
When Trying Harder Is Not Enough
Many of us sincerely want to live in a way that honors Jesus. We try harder, make fresh promises, and hope that if we put in enough effort, we will finally become the kind of person we long to be. But over time, we begin to see a humbling truth: we cannot change our hearts by sheer willpower. Galatians 2:20 gently reminds us that the Christian life is not mainly about trying harder. It is about letting Jesus live His life in us.
What Does It Mean to Be Crucified with Christ?
So what does it mean to be crucified with Christ? In simple words, it means the old life no longer gets to lead us. The part of us that wants its own way, clings to sin, and resists God was put to death with Jesus. This does not mean we stop being ourselves or lose our personality. It means the old self is no longer on the throne. Jesus now has the loving right to lead our thoughts, our choices, and our steps.
A New Life Begins in Him
In the wider message of Galatians, Paul explains that we are made right with God not by our own efforts, but by faith in Jesus Christ. His death marks the end of the old life, and His risen life becomes the beginning of something wonderfully new for those who trust Him. That is why Paul could say, “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” This is not about pretending to be holy or acting spiritual on the outside. It is about receiving His life day by day and trusting Him to do in us what we could never do on our own.
Hope for Everyday Struggles
This truth brings real hope into everyday life. When temptation comes, we can remember that the old life was crucified with Christ. When guilt tries to define us, we can remember that Jesus has given us a new identity. When we feel weak and weary, we can rest in the promise that Christ lives in us, and His strength is enough for today. We do not have to carry ourselves through life alone. We can lean on Him.
Learning to Surrender Each Day
Learning to live this way takes faith, humility, and surrender. It means waking up each morning and saying, “Lord, my life is Yours. Live in me today.” As we trust Him, He gently changes our hearts, loosens the grip of sin, and teaches us to walk in freedom. Step by step, we begin to look less like our old self and more like Jesus. The process may feel slow at times, but His life in us is real, and He is faithful to keep shaping us.
Galatians 2:20 is a tender invitation to stop living from self-effort and begin living from deep union with Christ. The Christian life is not about becoming a better version of ourselves through willpower alone. It is about trusting Jesus to live through us. And when He does, everything begins to change.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me and giving Yourself for me. Teach me what it means to be crucified with You. Help me stop depending on myself and start trusting Your life in me. Let my old ways lose their power, and let Your strength guide me today. Amen.
Reflection: What part of my old life am I still trying to keep in control? How can I trust Christ to live more fully in me today?
Minister A Francine Green I June 2026