I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20).
The usual Greek word translated crucified is stauroo (stow-ro’-o) meaning “to impale on a cross.”
Here in this verse, Paul uses the Greek word sustauroo (soo-tow-ro’-o), “to impale in company with,” referring to a co-crucifixion. This is the word used for the two thieves who were crucified along with Jesus.
Paul stresses that he was also impaled on the cross with Jesus. When Christ died, Paul died with Him. But like Christ, Paul did not stay dead. If Paul was crucified and buried with Christ, he was also raised to new life with Christ.
The remainder of this verse declares: “and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith.” The apostle understood that his old life “of the flesh” was gone and the life he now lived “in the flesh” was a spiritual one.
We Are Alive In Christ
Paul’s new life was totally different from that which he had lived before the crucifixion of his “old man.” The same is true of you and me. We too were crucified, dead and buried with our Lord. We too were raised to new life in Christ.
Christ is seated in the heavenlies, and Paul tells us that we are seated there with Him (Eph. 1:3). If that is so, if we are new spiritual beings, what kind of life should we now live?
Men have spent centuries focusing on our need to be crucified with Christ, to nail our “old man” to the cross. But the co-crucifixion is not the end, the ultimate achievement, or the final goal.
It is simply God’s ordained method for getting us into resurrection life. As Paul said of himself, you and I can say of ourselves: we are dead to sin, but alive in Christ.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.