It is no longer I who live
“I am 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.”Galatians 2:20
Reflection
Paul describes here the heart of the Christian life with a paradoxical sentence: "I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me". At first glance it seems a contradiction — how can someone live and at the same time say it is no longer he who lives? But that is precisely the great exchange of the gospel. Christianity is not the old "self" trying to be an improved version of itself. It is the death of the old self and the birth of a new life, in which Christ comes to dwell and reign from within. It is not reform; it is a change of command.
Notice the starting point: "I am crucified with Christ". The new life begins with a death. This bothers our culture, which speaks of "loving yourself above all" and "living for yourself". But Jesus always taught the opposite: "whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it". There is a deep liberation in being crucified with Christ — because the old self, the one who sought approval without rest, who was enslaved to sin, who carried the weight of constantly proving himself, that self can finally die. And what is born in its place is not a more strenuous self; it is Christ living in you.
Note that Paul does not say "and now I strive hard to imitate Christ". He says "CHRIST LIVETH in me". The difference is enormous. The Christian life is not you, alone, trying to copy Jesus by willpower — it is Jesus living through you by His Spirit. This lifts the crushing weight of having to be good enough on your own. Your part is not to generate holiness; it is to allow Christ, who already dwells in you, to live through you. It is the difference between a lamp trying to produce its own light and a lamp simply connected to the power source.
And see how Paul ends, landing all this theology in the most personal and intimate: "the Son of God, who loved ME, and gave himself FOR ME". Notice the singular. Paul does not write "loved the world" (though it is true) — he makes it personal: "loved me", "for me". The cross was not merely a cosmic event; it was an act of love addressed to you, with your name. If Christ gave Himself for you individually, then the life you now live can be lived "by the faith of the Son of God", trusting the One who has already proven His love in the most radical way possible. Let the old self die, and let Christ live. The best version of your life is not you improved; it is Christ in you.
Prayer
Lord, I grow tired of trying to be an improved version of myself by willpower. Today I choose the great exchange: may my old self be crucified with You and may You live in me. Live through me by Your Spirit — not my forced imitation, but Your real life. Thank You that You gave Yourself for me, with my name. Amen.
Put it into practice
In a situation today where you would act by the "old self" (selfishness, pride, fear), stop and ask: "how would Christ, who lives in me, act here?" — and allow Him to live through you, instead of reacting by your own strength.
To reflect on
Have you lived your faith as the "old self" trying to improve alone — or as Christ living through you?
Bible text: King James Version (public domain).