Living by Faith: The Transformative Power of Galatians 2:20

 

Have you ever felt like your faith is just going through the motions? In a world that often pulls us toward self-reliance and performance-based acceptance, it’s easy to lose sight of what it truly means to live as a Christian. But Galatians 2:20 offers a powerful reminder: true Christianity is not about earning God’s favor—it’s about a transformative relationship with Christ, rooted in His love and sacrifice.

As Christians, we hold the Bible as the inerrant and authoritative Word of God. Galatians 2:20 speaks directly to our hearts, calling us to live out our faith with conviction and grace. Let’s explore this verse together and discover how it can shape our lives today.

Paul’s Message to the Galatians

Before diving into the verse, it’s important to understand its context. The Apostle Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians to address a critical issue: legalism. Some were teaching that Gentile believers needed to follow Jewish laws, like circumcision, to be truly saved. Paul passionately argued against this, emphasizing that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone, not by works.

In Galatians 2:20, Paul shares a profound truth about what it means to live as a believer:

"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." (ESV)

This verse is a cornerstone for understanding the Christian life—a life defined not by our efforts but by our union with Christ and the faith He inspires.

Key Lessons from Galatians 2:20

       1.  Union with Christ: A New Identity 

When Paul says, "I have been crucified with Christ," he’s describing a spiritual reality that every believer experiences. Through faith, we are united with Christ in His death and resurrection. This means our old self—our sinful nature—has been put to death, and we are raised to new life in Him.

  • What this means for us: Our identity is no longer defined by our past mistakes or our attempts to be "good enough." Instead, we are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17), called to live in the freedom and power of Christ’s resurrection.
  • Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you still feel bound by your old self? Remember, in Christ, you are already victorious. Let this truth shape how you see yourself and your struggles.

      2.  Living by Faith: Trusting in Christ’s Work

Paul continues, "the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God." This is a crucial reminder that the Christian life is not about striving to earn God’s approval. We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), and we are called to live by that same faith every day.

  • What this means for us: Instead of relying on our own strength or good works, we trust in Christ’s finished work on the cross. This doesn’t mean we stop obeying God’s commands—rather, our obedience flows from faith and love, not from a desire to earn salvation.
  • Reflection: Do you ever find yourself slipping into a mindset of performance, trying to prove your worth to God or others? Take a moment to rest in the truth that Christ’s work is enough. Your faith, not your works, is what sustains you.
     3. A Personal Relationship: Christ’s Love for You

One of the most beautiful parts of this verse is its personal nature: "who loved me and gave himself for me." Christ’s sacrifice wasn’t just for humanity as a whole—it was for you, individually. He knows you, loves you, and gave Himself for you.

  • What this means for us: This personal love should transform how we live. When we truly grasp that Christ died for us, it moves us to love Him in return and to share that love with others.
  • Reflection: How does knowing that Christ loved you personally impact your daily life? Let this truth deepen your gratitude and motivate you to live in a way that honors His sacrifice.
Applying Galatians 2:20 to Our Lives

Galatians 2:20 isn’t just a theological concept—it’s a call to action. Here are some practical ways to live out this verse:

  • Trust in Christ’s Work: Remind yourself daily that your salvation is a gift, not something you earn. Let this truth free you from guilt and empower you to live boldly for Christ.
  • Live by Faith: Each morning, commit to relying on Christ’s strength, not your own. When challenges arise, turn to Him in prayer, trusting that He is living through you.
  • Personalize His Love: Take time to reflect on Christ’s love for you. Write down what it means to know that He gave Himself for you, and let this shape how you treat others.

As Christians, we are called to live out our faith with conviction, rooted in the truth of God’s Word. Galatians 2:20 reminds us that our lives are no longer our own—we belong to Christ, and He lives in us. This is both a privilege and a responsibility. 

A Life Transformed by Grace

Galatians 2:20 is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of the gospel. Through our union with Christ, we are freed from the burden of legalism and empowered to live by faith. His personal love for each of us calls us to a life of gratitude, obedience, and bold witness.

Let us embrace this truth: we are crucified with Christ, and now He lives in us. As we walk by faith, may we reflect His love and grace to a world in need.

Call to Action: Take a moment today to meditate on Galatians 2:20. Ask God to help you live out this verse in your daily life. Share this post with someone who needs encouragement, and let’s commit to living as those who are truly alive in Christ.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the truth of Galatians 2:20. Help us to live as those who are crucified with Christ, letting Him live through us by faith. May we honor Your love and sacrifice in all we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


DMMc 7-5-25











Location: Peru, IN 46970, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Dialysis Day with Dave

Image
Just wanted to run you through an average dialysis day for me and so many others. ----------------------------------------- The alarm shrieks, cutting through the dawn quiet at 7:30 AM, sharp and insistent. Dave groans, rolling over to silence it. His body feels heavy, like it’s still tethered to the bed, but he knows he can’t linger. Dialysis days start early, and the clinic waits for no one. He swings his legs over the side of the bed, pausing to catch his breath. The familiar ache in his lower back is there, a dull throb---a reminder of the fluid his kidneys can’t clear anymore. He shuffles to the bathroom, splashes cold water on his face, and stares at his reflection. His eyes are a little puffy today, but he forces a half-smile. “You got this,” he mutters, a mantra he’s leaned into since his diagnosis. He knows that it's only the strength from God that is getting him through each day. Breakfast is light—oatmeal with a few blueberries, no salt, no bananas. He’s memorized the re...
Read more

Meta is a Menace. The Tyranny of AI

Image
 The use of AI in content moderation on Meta’s platforms—Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads—has sparked intense debate about its impact on free expression, fairness, and platform governance. The term “tyranny of AI” suggests an overreach of automated systems that could suppress voices or misjudge content, often with little recourse for users. Below, I’ll break down the key issues, benefits, and concerns surrounding Meta’s AI-driven moderation, drawing on recent trends and critiques while examining the broader implications. The Role of AI in Meta’s Content Moderation Meta has increasingly leaned on AI to handle the massive volume of content across its platforms, with automated systems now responsible for a significant portion of content removals. For instance, in early 2025, Meta reported that 97.4% of content removed for hate speech on Instagram was handled by AI, though this dropped slightly for bullying and harassment on Facebook. The company has also moved toward automat...
Read more

Mr. Obama Continues to Ignore Reality

President Obama Continues to Ignore Reality … and so do his followers. In his State of the Union, the president barely touched on the issue that galvanized the nation against his Administration — illegal immigration. And when he did mention it, he got it all wrong. The President: “Now, I strongly believe that we should take on, once and for all, the issue of illegal immigration. I am prepared to work with Republicans and Democrats to protect our borders, enforce our laws and address the millions of undocumented workers who are now living in the shadows.” That was it. That’s all he had to offer. He’s going to “take on… the issue of illegal immigration“. Obama chooses his words carefully. He didn’t say he was going to stop illegal immigration, did he? Then he said he was ”prepared to work with Republicans and Democrats to protect our borders.” That’s a far cry from sealing our borders to terrorists, drug smugglers and illegal aliens, isn’t it? Then he said he would “address the m...
Read more