You are a Christian... that's certain, but are you living a crucified life? I know that more than half of those reading this would respond with a resounding "Yes"! I cannot say we aren't. But I trust that at the end of this article, by His Grace we will personally receive for ourselves the right answer to this question.
In the book of Galatians, Apostle Paul confesses boldly that he is crucified with Christ. What made him so bold about it? The answer is simple: many saw in his very life the manifestation of his confession.
Galatians 2:20 KJV
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Whenever this topic is raised among Christians, eyebrows get raised and there is this perception of 'self-righteousness and perfection'. We must note that by Paul confessing he was crucified with Christ, he was neither implying he was perfect nor living out this kind of life by His own strength. He made it clear in Philippians 3 that he keeps pressing on towards the mark:
Philippians 3:12-14 KJV
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. [13] Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, [14] I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
I am also not saying am perfect. Like Apostle Paul, I press towards the mark. No Christian is yet perfect while still in this physical body and plane of existence. Perfection is what we will attain when we've taken on our glorified bodies at the rapture and resurrection.
We cannot be perfect while we're still on Earth but the LORD expects every true believer to attain maturity in Him during their lifetime on this realm of existence. We cannot say that Paul was perfect but we can all admit the reality that he was mature in Christ. A crucified life is therefore a product and evidence of maturity in Christ.
Living a crucified life means living out a God-kind of life (Zoe) or a Christ-centered life. It is the will of the LORD that everyone who is called by His name lives out this manner of life.
The heroes of our faith serve as good examples for us, portraying to us what will happen in our lives and through us if we live out a crucified Christian life. We can't say it happens instantly after our salvation. It does take some time; but the LORD doesn't expect us to allow it take more time getting there than it should!
SIGNS THAT ONE IS NOT YET LIVING OUT A CRUCIFIED LIFE
Identifying the problem always comes before proffering a solution to it. It is therefore needful that we look at some of the signs which show that a Christian is not yet living out a crucified life:
(1. Still Holding On To Self-Will And Experiencing Difficulty Accepting God's Will
One of the signs that we are not yet living out a crucified life is when we experience a hard time letting go of our will to accept and walk in God's will. Man naturally loves Self. Anything which makes him feel like he's losing himself is often naturally treated like poison and ejected. But this is the very thing that stands in the way and God wants us to get rid of it.
Many have experienced difficulty accepting God's calling for their life and walking towards it. Their eyes are set on striving towards who their Self says they must be. This is always vain striving as it only leads to confusion in life and delay of one's destiny.
Solution
The LORD wants us to get out of our small box of self-will and embrace His will for us. It is at this place we will see His good will begin to manifest in our lives. God always has something bigger and better for us than we have for ourselves!
(2. Self-Centeredness
Another sign that a Christian is not yet living out a crucified life is when they are self-centered. Unfortunately, self-centered Christians often can not see how it looks to other Christians.
Since the Church is One Body, a "Me, Myself and I" mentality doesn't work, it hurts the Body of Christ. It doesn't edify other saints in the Body and doesn't build the Church.
Ministry is like a puzzle and we're all called into it and given a piece out of the whole part of it. These pieces must all be brought together to complete the LORD's will on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Every genuine believer has something to supply and that can't be done if we're living a self-centered life.
Solution
We must die to Self and start living a self-less life. Our LORD Jesus Christ demonstrated it by "coming to serve and not to be served". The ministry, anointing, gifts and callings we've received from the LORD are less about us and more about others.
(3. Inability To Demonstrate Genuine Love Towards Other Brethren And Unbelievers
This is where many of us experience serious difficulty in. Inability to demonstrate agape shows that we're not yet living a crucified life and the love of Christ is not yet perfected in us.
Solution
Uncrucified Self equals to Inability demonstrating genuine love. As I earlier said, it's not all about us. Our God is love and we must all let Him break and remould us. We must let Him deal with our Self life so that His love will naturally flow out of us towards other people.
1 John 4:16-17 KJV
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. [17] Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
(3. Ashamed Of Jesus And His Word
This is prevalent among today's Christians. Unfortunately, today's Christianity has so much been watered down to the extent that many Christians can dwell within unbelievers for many years with no sign to show they are Christians (both in their lifestyle and otherwise).
Luke 9:26 KJV
For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.
Solution
If we're truly Christians we should be tired of living ordinary Christian lives. Christ must be seen in our lives and words. We must not be afraid of speaking about Him. If I was I would be blogging about latest technology or gossip but not about Him.
(4. Still Struggling With The Flesh
Some Christians are fond of using Paul's words in Romans 7 as a yardstick to continue feeding their flesh.
Romans 7:14-25 KJV
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. [15] For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. [16] If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. [17] Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. [18] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. [19] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. [20] Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. [21] I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. [22] For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: [23] But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. [24] O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? [25] I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
If we look closely at those words and ask for understanding from the Holy Spirit, we will see that Paul was not saying that was the life he was living. He was simply giving an analogy of how pathetic Christianity with Uncrucified flesh can be.
Solution
Romans 6:6-14 KJV
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. [7] For he that is dead is freed from sin. [8] Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: [9] Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. [10] For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. [11] Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. [12] Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. [13] Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. [14] For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
(5. Still Telling Lies
Ever met a lying Christian? I've actually met dozens or more. Lying, tricky, cunning and deceptive. Telling lies is a sure sign that a Christian is not yet living a crucified life. The old man in them is still alive.
Solution
There is nothing like white lie or small sin.
WRAPPING IT UP
The way up is down. No Christian can bear much fruit and walk in the fullness of what the LORD has in store for them if they are not living a crucified life.
The major solution is to get back to the Cross and ask the LORD to strip us of Self. There's need to nail the flesh to the Cross, since is profits no man nothing good. This is a daily task. Self and Flesh struggles to revive that is why we must die daily just as Paul did.
The benefits of living a crucified life are innumerable. One of them is that we will experience and walk in the resurrection power of Christ.
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Now your turn:
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Stay Pure, by His Grace. Remain Blessed!
Ever met a lying Christian? I've actually met dozens or more. Lying, tricky, cunning and deceptive. Telling lies is a sure sign that a Christian is not yet living a crucified life. The old man in them is still alive.
Solution
There is nothing like white lie or small sin.
Colossians 3:9 KJV
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
Ephesians 4:22 KJV
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
WRAPPING IT UP
The way up is down. No Christian can bear much fruit and walk in the fullness of what the LORD has in store for them if they are not living a crucified life.
John 12:24-25 KJV
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. [25] He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
The major solution is to get back to the Cross and ask the LORD to strip us of Self. There's need to nail the flesh to the Cross, since is profits no man nothing good. This is a daily task. Self and Flesh struggles to revive that is why we must die daily just as Paul did.
1 Corinthians 15:31 KJV
I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
The benefits of living a crucified life are innumerable. One of them is that we will experience and walk in the resurrection power of Christ.
Philippians 3:10 KJV
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death. Amen!
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Now your turn:
If you have been blessed through this article, kindly share with as many people as you can by using the share buttons.
Stay Pure, by His Grace. Remain Blessed!
Anointed And Gifted Christian Dream Interpreter, Christian Therapist, Writer And Web Designer.