Galatians 2. One of the most significant verses in my personal spiritual journey is found in this chapter. “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.” (2:20)

I believed the gospel and accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior at a young age. I was raised in a Christian family, and they introduced me to Jesus early in life – and I am incredibly grateful for my spiritual heritage. Yet somehow, I fell into this way of life where I believed in Jesus as my Savior, but I did not really want Him as Lord of my life. I wanted the eternal life guarantee, but not Jesus in my business right now. Independent me wanted to go on living my own way, and I was not making very good choices.

I spent a whole summer in Brazil with a film crew as part of a mission trip and we were required to memorize scripture. Galatians 2:20 kept coming to my mind, over and over again, like God was trying to make a point. He was impressing on me that a relationship with Jesus meant that he wanted to be both Savior and Lord of my life. I needed to let go of living my life my own way – to crucify myself – and to allow God to fully live in me, giving me new life and a whole new way of thinking.

Thinking that you can have a “get out of hell free card” from Jesus and yet go on living however you want in this life is a lie. There are elements of salvation that are like a transaction (you are transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light, Colossians 1:13) but salvation is also about a relationship with God and learning how to live in the kingdom. A relationship with Jesus changes who we are and how we live, starting today, and lasting for the rest of our lives and into eternal life.

I surrendered and accepted Jesus as Lord of my life that summer in Brazil. I had to let go of some old ways and take up some new habits. Put off your old self… be renewed in your mind… and put on the new self. (Ephesians 4:22-24). The journey has not always been easy, but it has been so worthwhile. The I have been crucified with Christ piece is both a one-time surrender and a daily surrender, as we chose every day to walk in the ways of God and His goodness.

Galatians 2:20 is often used in baptismal ceremonies. I love the baptismal liturgy which proclaims that the old self is buried with Christ (under the water) and then the new self is raised to walk in new life with Christ (rising up from the water).

What about you? How is your relationship with Jesus – is he both Savior and Lord of your life? Have you surrendered your independence and committed to following him and his ways? If yes, proclaim it with me: “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.” (2:20) Amen.