What It Means to Be Crucified with Christ
Hi friends,
Everyone loves to hear that Jesus died for our sins.
And we should.
That truth is at the very heart of the gospel.
But sometimes we stop there.
We celebrate forgiveness without fully realizing that the Cross also gives us a way to walk in victory now.
Not someday.
Not only when we get to Heaven.
But in the everyday battles we face right here.
The Cross secured victory in four areas that affect every believer:
Sin.
The flesh.
The world.
And Satan.
Victory Over Sin
Sin is mankind’s greatest problem because sin separates us from God.
But Jesus did what we could never do for ourselves.
1 Peter 2:24 (KJV) says:
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree…”
Jesus carried our sins to the Cross.
God’s justice required that sin be dealt with, and Christ willingly took that punishment in our place.
Ephesians 1:7 (KJV) reminds us:
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”
At the Cross, Jesus did not simply take the penalty of sin.
He also broke its power.
That means forgiveness is not just something we receive.
It is something we can begin living from.
Are you still living under guilt?
Sometimes Christ has forgiven us, but we continue punishing ourselves.
We replay the mistake.
We carry the shame.
We wonder if God could really use us again.
But if Jesus paid the debt, why are we still trying to pay it ourselves?
Guilt may remind you of what happened.
Grace reminds you of what Jesus has already done.
Victory Over the Flesh
Scripture also speaks about the flesh.
The flesh is that fallen nature that wants its own way instead of God’s way.
It says:
“I want what I want.”
“I know what is best.”
“I can handle this myself.”
The original lesson describes the flesh as the root from which sinful actions grow.
But Galatians 5:24 (KJV) says:
“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”
The Cross did not only deal with the things we do.
It dealt with who we were apart from Christ.
Willpower is not enough
This is important because many of us try to fight the flesh with determination.
“I’m never doing that again.”
“I’ll be more disciplined.”
“I’ll try harder tomorrow.”
But lasting victory does not come through willpower.
It comes through faith.
Romans 6:11 (KJV) tells us:
“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
We reckon the old life dead because Christ has already dealt with it at the Cross.
Victory Over the World
The Bible also warns us about the influence of the world.
By “the world,” Scripture is not talking about the people God loves.
It is referring to the system around us that opposes God’s authority and values.
Every day, the world tells us what should matter most.
Success.
Appearance.
Possessions.
Approval.
Comfort.
Popularity.
But believers belong to a different kingdom.
Living here without belonging here
I love the picture of an ambassador.
An ambassador may live in another country, but she represents the country she truly belongs to.
That is how believers are called to live.
We are here.
We love people here.
We serve here.
But our identity and values come from Heaven.
Galatians 6:14 (KJV) says:
“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
The Cross changes what has authority over our hearts.
Victory Over Satan
Finally, the Cross secured victory over Satan.
Before salvation, Scripture describes mankind as walking according to the prince of the power of the air.
But Christ changed that.
Colossians 1:13–14 (KJV) says:
“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”
Delivered.
Translated.
Those are powerful words.
We have been moved from one kingdom into another.
The enemy has been defeated
Colossians 2:15 teaches that Christ spoiled principalities and powers and triumphed over them through the Cross.
The enemy may still accuse.
He may tempt.
He may lie.
He may try to convince us that nothing has changed.
But he does not have the authority Christ has.
Jesus said in John 8:36 (KJV):
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
Friend, freedom is not something we have to beg Jesus to create.
He already secured it.
Don't believe the roar
The lesson gives such a helpful picture of Satan as a lion who can roar but whose authority over the redeemed has been broken.
The enemy's lies can sound loud.
“You'll always be this way.”
“God can't use you.”
“You've failed too many times.”
“You'll never overcome this.”
But a loud lie is still a lie.
And we answer lies with truth.
Four victories. One Cross.
At the Cross, Christ secured:
Victory over sin.
Victory over the flesh.
Victory over the world.
Victory over Satan.
That does not mean we never experience a battle.
It means we no longer enter the battle as defeated people.
We stand in what Christ has already accomplished.
Reflection
Take a quiet moment today and ask yourself:
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Which of these four areas do I struggle with most?
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Am I still carrying guilt for sin Christ has forgiven?
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Where am I relying on willpower instead of surrender?
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Is the world influencing my thinking more than God’s Word?
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What lie of the enemy do I need to replace with truth today?
A Word of Encouragement
Friend, victory is not found in how strong you are.
It is found in Christ.
When you feel weak, remember the Cross.
When guilt returns, remember the Cross.
When the world pulls at your heart, remember the Cross.
When the enemy whispers lies, remember the Cross.
Jesus has already done what you could never do for yourself.
And because of Him, you do not have to live defeated.
“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” — Romans 8:37 (KJV)
This is Part 6 of our 12-week series, What It Means to Be Crucified with Christ. Join us next week for Part 7: Calvary Precedes Pentecost.