When Christ Lives Through Us

Galatians 2:20 (NASB95) – “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…”

Many Christians try to live the Christian life by trying harder. We try to be patient, loving, faithful, and strong by our own effort. But after a while, we become tired, frustrated, and discouraged. Why? Because the Christian life was never meant to be lived by self-effort alone.

Paul gives us a beautiful truth in Galatians 2:20. He says, “I have been crucified with Christ.” This means the old life—self-rule, self-righteousness, and trusting in our own strength—has been put to death with Christ. Then Paul says, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” The Christian life is not simply us trying to live for Christ. It is Christ living His life in us.

This does not mean that Paul stopped existing. It means that he was no longer the center and controller of his own life. Christ became the new center, power, and direction of his life. That is what happens when Jesus lives in us. His presence strengthens us. His Spirit empowers us. His Word guides us. His love shapes us.

So how do we live this out daily? Paul says, “the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God.” We live by depending on Christ moment by moment. We obey because He works in us. We endure because He strengthens us. We love because He first loved us.

And Paul makes it deeply personal: “who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Christ’s life in us is rooted in grace. We do not live for Him to earn His love. We live by faith because He already loves us.

So today, stop striving in your own strength. Let Christ live through you.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me and giving Yourself for me. Teach me to stop depending on my own strength and to trust You more each day. Live Your life through me, and let my words, choices, and attitudes reflect You. In Your name. Amen.