Crucified With Christ

Updated: Aug 3

Devotional by Skip Heitzig

If someone's been found guilty of murder and given a life sentence, but dies while

serving that sentence, will the justice system continue to enforce that

judgment? No; the convicted person is no longer subject to that penalty. They're

dead—they've been released from the sentence they were required to serve.

One of my favorite verses is Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is

no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Jesus died on the cross. And because I have faith in Him, I died with Him. Because

I've died, the law has no power.

If I am crucified with Christ, I'm dead to the law that condemned me. I'm free in

Christ. I don't have to serve my sentence. Paul continued in verse 21: "I do not set

aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ

died in vain."

So many people will say their friends or family members didn't want anything to do

with God. But then I hear this at the funeral: "He was so sincere, and such a good

person. God must have forgiven him."

If you're saved by your sincerity or your religiosity, Jesus' death on the cross was

pointless. All God needed to do is send Him down to teach people to love each

other, pat babies on the head, and heal a few people.

In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus said, "Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass

from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39). There is no

other way except the cross. And we want to make much of it, because if

righteousness comes through works, Christ suffered and died in vain. That's why

we boast in it.

I know many churches today don't mention the blood and don't mention the cross.

But Paul said, "God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus

Christ" (Galatians 6:14). We want to make much of that because we "do not set

aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ

died in vain" (2:21).

He conquered death by His resurrection. The work He did on the cross is done.

Are you still trying your best to make sure you deserve it? It's time to give it up. If

you're honest with yourself, you know you could never be good enough—even on

your best day.

Here's the point: You don't have to be good enough. So stop striving and start

abiding. Start living in the freedom He paid for with His life. He's already served

your sentence. That is the gospel of grace.

A false religion, a cult, will say you have to give your life for your god. The gospel

says your God gave His life for you.

As simply as that, we have been made right. We have been justified. May we make

much of the cross!