The Scriptures teach that we are “crucified with Christ;” nevertheless, we live (Galatians 2:20).
Crucifixion in the Scriptural language means “to subdue; to mortify; to destroy the power or ruling influence of something.” Death to self is the key to walking in the Spirit, and vice versa (Galatians 5:16). Destroying our self-centered and sinful desires is the key to the abundant living Jesus comes to give us (John 10:10b).
What we are called upon to crucify are our ungodly affections and lusts. In their place we are told to focus or “set (our) affection on things above” (Colossians 3:2). David, the man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), declared that he had set his affections on the house of his God (1 Chronicles 29:3).
We live in the age of unnatural, twisted affections (Romans 1:31; 2 Timothy 3:3). Thank God for the work of the cross in our hearts which has set us free from the life after our flesh to a vibrant life in His Spirit!
