Some will say, "How can I be crucified with Christ when Christ was crucified over 2000 years ago?" Physically we cannot be crucified with Christ. But spiritually we have been crucified with Christ. You will not be saved unless you have been spiritually crucified with Christ.
Paul wrote, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live." Galations 2:20.
What did Paul mean when he said that? This is kind of like Nicodemus trying to figure out how he could be born again, John 3:4. The Bible is a spiritual book written by men that were indwelt by the Holy Spirit. It was written by Christians for Christians. If you have trouble with the Bible it may be that you are not a Christian. Those that are indwelt by the Holy Spirit do not have a problem with the Bible.
"For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall also be in the likeness of his resurrection. Knowing this that our old man (Adam) is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that hence forth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him" Romans 6:5-8.
This is all very spiritual and will not be understood by those that are not Christians. This is how God justifies the ungodly, Romans 4:5. It is also how God has reconciled the world unto himself by Jesus Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:19. This is more than just our identifying with Christ. This is how God sees us in Jesus Christ. In Jesus Christ we have lived, died and have been resurrected and now sit in heavenly places in Jesus Christ, Ephesians 2:6. This is why Paul wrote,
"And you are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power" Colossians 2:10.
Spiritually, we are "In Christ" and Christ is in heaven, Colossians 3:3. Jesus has come into the world as God's new Adam. By his righteous, sinless life, he has offered to God the Father a life of perfect obedience according to his holy law. He did this in our name and on our behalf, just like we did it ourselves. It was his life that was lived for our justification, Romans 3:26.
Because he was sinless he was able to atone for our sins and the sins of the whole world, 1 John 2:2.
"For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Jesus has perfected our humanity and has taken it back to heaven. What is our part in all of this? Our part is to believe and embrace it as our only means of salvation. There is no room in this Gospel for religion. If you want to be saved by Jesus Christ you will have to leave your religion outside and enter in by faith and by faith alone.
Paul wrote, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live." Galations 2:20.
What did Paul mean when he said that? This is kind of like Nicodemus trying to figure out how he could be born again, John 3:4. The Bible is a spiritual book written by men that were indwelt by the Holy Spirit. It was written by Christians for Christians. If you have trouble with the Bible it may be that you are not a Christian. Those that are indwelt by the Holy Spirit do not have a problem with the Bible.
"For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall also be in the likeness of his resurrection. Knowing this that our old man (Adam) is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that hence forth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him" Romans 6:5-8.
This is all very spiritual and will not be understood by those that are not Christians. This is how God justifies the ungodly, Romans 4:5. It is also how God has reconciled the world unto himself by Jesus Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:19. This is more than just our identifying with Christ. This is how God sees us in Jesus Christ. In Jesus Christ we have lived, died and have been resurrected and now sit in heavenly places in Jesus Christ, Ephesians 2:6. This is why Paul wrote,
"And you are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power" Colossians 2:10.
Spiritually, we are "In Christ" and Christ is in heaven, Colossians 3:3. Jesus has come into the world as God's new Adam. By his righteous, sinless life, he has offered to God the Father a life of perfect obedience according to his holy law. He did this in our name and on our behalf, just like we did it ourselves. It was his life that was lived for our justification, Romans 3:26.
Because he was sinless he was able to atone for our sins and the sins of the whole world, 1 John 2:2.
"For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Jesus has perfected our humanity and has taken it back to heaven. What is our part in all of this? Our part is to believe and embrace it as our only means of salvation. There is no room in this Gospel for religion. If you want to be saved by Jesus Christ you will have to leave your religion outside and enter in by faith and by faith alone.