His Life for Mine

Growing up in a Christian household and hearing a gospel presentation, my understanding at that time consisted of knowing that I was a sinner destined for hell and needed to ask Jesus for salvation. With childlike faith, I did so. Yet, it wasn’t until my teenage years, when I began to sense the weight of sin in my own life, that I realized there hadn’t been much visible change in me since my salvation (or so it seemed). Because I was being taught morals, I knew that I was still a sinner and felt secretly horrible about that. There had to be something more to Christianity than a ticket to Heaven. Wasn’t there?

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20, ESV

At that time, I didn’t understand that all followers of Jesus are called to die. Christianity is more than a ticket out of hell. To follow Jesus means to follow him in his death. It’s scary. It costs us everything. However, by surrendering our lives completely to Jesus, we discover that he substitutes our flawed, sinful existence with his flawless, sinless life.

During my teenage years, I began contemplating this Bible verse about being crucified with Christ. I by faith took on Jesus’ journey of death, burial, resurrection, and ascension as my own identity. When he died, I died. When he was buried, I with all my sin was buried. When he was resurrected, my new man was resurrected. When he ascended and sat at the throne in Heaven, I did as well. Complete union with Jesus is what Christianity is about. We live in him and he lives in us. This is how we change. Jesus changes us by giving us his already changed life!

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.”

John 15:4–9, ESV

Considerable time has passed since I was forever changed learning what it meant to live a crucified life. I can say that it has been totally worth it. The union with Christ has been sweet. Yet, the amazing part is that it was also not a one and done thing. It seems every new season Jesus delves deeper exposing more sin or healing more of my brokenness. It’s been a beautiful journey and I am so happy to be living a crucified life in Christ.

Interested in knowing more? Let me know! Need prayer? I’d be happy to pray with you. Just leave a comment with your request!