Crucified and Alive
Scripture
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.
Galatians 5:24–26 (NLT)
Coming to faith in Jesus is more than a decision, it is a true transformation. Scripture describes it in radical terms such as born again, moved from darkness to light, from death to life. Paul uses the violent image of crucifixion to describe what happens to our old self: our sinful passions and desires are nailed to Christ’s cross.
This doesn’t mean we stop struggling with sin, but it does mean sin no longer rules us. Its mastery over us has been broken.
“The old cross is a symbol of death. It stands for the abrupt, violent end of a human being. The man in Roman times who took up his cross and started down the road had already said good-by to his friends. He was not coming back.”¹
—A.W. Tozer, “The Old Cross and the New”
That is the reality of our old nature in Christ. Now, every part of our lives can be reshaped under the Spirit’s leading.
Paul quickly applies this truth to our relationships. If we live by the Spirit, then conceit and jealousy have no place among us. These are rooted in insecurity and the need to prove ourselves. But in Christ, our worth is settled. God has given each of us unique gifts and a unique purpose. There’s no reason to compete, compare, or envy.
So let’s walk in step with the Spirit. Celebrate the gifts you see in others instead of comparing them to your own. Encourage someone today instead of competing with them. Live like someone who is free, secure, and led by God’s Spirit, because that’s exactly who you are.
Reflection
- What passions or desires of your old nature do you need to surrender to the cross of Christ today?
- Where do you sense the Spirit inviting you into deeper obedience or change right now?
- How can you cheer someone on in their calling, choosing encouragement over comparison?
Prayer
Ask God to help you live daily in the reality that you are crucified with Christ. Pray for sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading in every part of your life, and for freedom from jealousy and comparison. Ask Him to give you a heart that genuinely celebrates and encourages others.
Footnote:
¹ A.W. Tozer, “The Old Cross and the New,” in Man, the Dwelling Place of God (Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, 1966).