Who We Are in Christ: Living the Crucified Life

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Who We Are in Christ

A Teaching on Galatians 2:20

Galatians 2:20 is one of the most powerful verses in the New Testament concerning our identity in Christ. Paul does not merely speak about a changed lifestyle, improved behaviour, or religious commitment. He speaks about a completely new life.

“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.”

Galatians 2:20, NKJV

This statement is the foundation of Christian identity. To be “in Christ” means that our old life has been brought to an end, and a new life has begun through Him.

1. The Old “I” Has Been Crucified

Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ.” This does not mean Paul physically died on the cross with Jesus. It means that, by faith, he was united with Christ in His death.

The old person — the self ruled by sin, pride, guilt, fear, and independence from God — was judged and brought to an end at the cross.

Before Christ, we lived from the old identity:

• We were sinners separated from God.
• We were guilty before Him.
• We were slaves to sin.
• We were trying to prove ourselves.
• We were living by our own strength.

But in Christ, that old identity no longer defines us. The cross does not only forgive our sins; it also brings an end to the old life that produced those sins.

2. Christ Now Lives in Me

Paul continues:

“…it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…”

Galatians 2:20, NKJV

This is the heart of Christian life. Christianity is not merely trying to imitate Jesus from a distance. It is Christ living His life in us.

This means our identity is no longer built on our past, our failures, our achievements, our family background, our emotions, or what people say about us. Our identity is now found in Christ.

• In Christ, we are forgiven.
• In Christ, we are accepted.
• In Christ, we are made new.
• In Christ, we are children of God.
• In Christ, we are no longer condemned.
• In Christ, we belong to the Father.

The Christian life is not simply “me trying harder for God.” It is Christ working in me, changing me, strengthening me, and teaching me to live from my new identity.

3. We Still Live, But Now by Faith

Paul says that the life he now lives in the flesh, he lives by faith in the Son of God.

We still live in this world. We still face temptations, pain, weakness, decisions, relationships, and responsibilities. But we no longer live from the old source.

We live by faith.

Faith means we trust what God says about us more than what our feelings say. Faith means we believe the finished work of Christ more than the accusations of the enemy. Faith means we depend on Christ’s strength rather than our own ability. Faith means we walk as people who belong to God.

Our feelings may say, “You are still the same.”
Our past may say, “You will never change.”
The enemy may say, “You are condemned.”
But God says, “You are in Christ.”

That is the truth we must live from.

4. Our Identity Comes From His Love

Paul ends the verse by saying that Jesus:

“…loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20, NKJV

This is deeply personal. Paul does not only say, “Christ loved the world.” He says, “He loved me.”

Our identity in Christ is not based on religious performance. It is based on the love of the Son of God, who gave Himself for us.

Jesus did not wait for us to become worthy. He gave Himself while we were still sinners. He did not love us because we were perfect. He loved us because He is gracious, merciful, and faithful.

When we understand this, we stop trying to earn God’s love and start living from God’s love.

• We obey Him not to become accepted, but because we are accepted in Christ.
• We serve Him not to prove our worth, but because He has already given us worth.
• We turn away from sin not to gain identity, but because we have received a new identity.

5. Who Are We in Christ?

Galatians 2:20 teaches us that we are not merely improved people. We are crucified and resurrected people.

• The old life has ended.
• Christ now lives in us.
• We live by faith.
• We are loved by the Son of God.
• We belong to Him.

This means we can say:

I am not defined by my past.
I am not controlled by sin.
I am not rejected by God.
I am not living by my own strength.
I am not trying to earn salvation.
I am in Christ, and Christ lives in me.

Conclusion

Galatians 2:20 is not only a verse to quote; it is a truth to live by. The Christian life begins when we stop trying to build our own identity and receive the identity God gives us in Christ.

We have been crucified with Christ. The old self no longer has the final word. Christ lives in us, and the life we now live, we live by faith in Him.

Our greatest identity is this:

I am in Christ, and Christ lives in me.