Please Help Us Keep These Thousands of Blog Posts Growing and Free for All

$5.00

What Does It Mean to Live by Faith in the Son of God?

The apostle Paul, in Galatians 2:20, wrote a profound statement of his transformed life in Christ: “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ 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 up for me.” This verse encapsulates the essence of Christian living, offering insights into the believer’s union with Christ, the daily walk of faith, and the sacrificial love of Jesus that compels a life of obedience. Understanding the depth of this passage requires careful examination of its theological significance and its practical application in the life of a follower of Christ.

Union with Christ: Crucified and Raised to New Life

Paul’s declaration, “I have been crucified with Christ,” signifies the believer’s spiritual union with Christ in his death. This truth is foundational to Christian identity and mirrors what Paul elaborates in Romans 6:6-7: “We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.” By virtue of Christ’s atoning sacrifice, believers are united with him, sharing in his death to sin and resurrection to new life.

This union is not a mystical or emotional experience but a spiritual reality accomplished through obedience to the gospel. In baptism, one participates in this death and resurrection, as Paul emphasizes in Romans 6:3-4: “Or do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore, we were buried with him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

The life of the believer is thus characterized by a complete renunciation of the former way of life, a crucifixion of the self-centered nature that is dominated by sin. This radical transformation aligns the Christian’s life with the will of God, as expressed in the Word, and allows Christ’s character to be manifested in their actions and attitudes.

Christ Lives in Me: The Indwelling of Christ Through His Word

The statement “Christ lives in me” reflects the ongoing relationship between the believer and the Lord. This is not a literal indwelling but is accomplished through the guidance of the Spirit-inspired Scriptures. Christ’s teachings shape the believer’s decisions, priorities, and character, resulting in a life that mirrors his own.

John 15:4-5 echoes this idea, where Jesus says, “Remain in me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches.” This abiding is achieved through faithful adherence to his Word, which provides direction and sustenance for spiritual growth.

The indwelling of Christ through his Word also involves an active commitment to prayer and meditation on Scripture. Psalm 119:11 affirms, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” When the Word of God permeates the believer’s heart and mind, it shapes their choices and enables them to live in a manner that glorifies God.

Living by Faith in the Son of God

Paul emphasizes that “the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God.” This highlights the believer’s dependence on Christ for both justification and sanctification. Living by faith entails trusting in God’s promises, even when circumstances seem uncertain or challenging. Hebrews 11:6 reinforces this principle: “Without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

Faith in the Son of God is not passive but involves active obedience to his commands. James 2:26 asserts, “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.” A living faith produces fruit in the form of righteous deeds and unwavering trust in God’s guidance, even amidst life’s difficulties.

Paul’s personal testimony in Galatians 2:20 illustrates that faith is not merely intellectual assent but a complete reliance on Jesus for strength, direction, and purpose. The believer walks by faith, trusting in the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice and the transformative power of the gospel.

The Love and Sacrifice of the Son of God

The final phrase, “who loved me and gave himself up for me,” underscores the motivation behind Christ’s sacrifice and the believer’s response. The love of Jesus is the foundation of salvation, as demonstrated in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

This love is deeply personal, as Paul emphasizes by using the pronoun “me.” It reflects the individual nature of Christ’s redemptive work, which extends to every believer. The sacrificial death of Jesus is the ultimate expression of this love, as he willingly bore the penalty for sin to reconcile humanity to God.

The believer’s response to this love is wholehearted devotion and gratitude. Second Corinthians 5:14-15 states, “For the love of Christ compels us, because we have concluded this: that one died for all, therefore all died. And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised.”

The sacrificial love of Jesus serves as the model for Christian living, inspiring believers to reflect his selflessness in their relationships and service to others. It also reinforces the assurance of God’s unchanging commitment to his people, providing hope and confidence in the face of life’s challenges.

Conclusion

Galatians 2:20 provides a comprehensive view of the Christian life, emphasizing union with Christ, the indwelling of his teachings, the necessity of faith, and the transforming power of his love. This verse calls believers to surrender their lives to Jesus, allowing his character and purposes to shape every aspect of their existence. By living by faith in the Son of God, Christians experience the fullness of his grace and the joy of walking in fellowship with him.

You May Also Enjoy

How Should a Christian Live According to the Bible?

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).