by leaps and bounds

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).

Being a true Christian requires great commitment. The Apostle Paul called it “being crucified with Christ.” Being crucified with Christ has a finality to it. The truly crucified person is finished with this life as they have been living. Once the decision to really live for Jesus has been made, chains of this life are broken and the things that separate us from God are gone. Let’s look at three components of being “crucified with Christ.”

The truly crucified person is facing in only one direction. Luke 9:51 tells us that, as the time of Jesus’ crucifixion drew near, He set His face to go to Jerusalem. He let nothing deter Him. He forged ahead. This is what we have to do- make the decision to live for God and start moving straight ahead- no turning to the right or to the left. The following Old Testament verses describe this:

Therefore you shall be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you: you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you…(Deuteronomy 5:32-33).

The truly crucified person is not going back to the old life. In Luke 9:62 Jesus said, “No one having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.” This is a very weighty saying. However, we do well to remember that it came from our Savior who willingly died for us so that our sins can be forgiven.

The truly crucified person has no further plans of their own. All personal agendas are tossed aside. Of course, we have to work, take care of our families, etc., but we now include God in every aspect of our lives. We pray and seek to do His will in all our decision-making. We need to think like Jesus in order to accomplish this task. We can see the mind of Christ in the following verses:

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” (John 4:34)

And He (Jesus) was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:41-42)

Jesus is our example. He made up His mind, moved straight ahead and was truly crucified. As Christians we must take heed to follow the example He has set for us. This path can be difficult- even painful at times- but it is the path we must choose.

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Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.