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Author: Martin Steinbereithner, from the Servants of the Word, an international, ecumenical brotherhood of men living single for the Lord.

In the letter to the Galatians, Paul says, “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.” (Galatians 2:20)

Paul describes what has happened to him: he is still alive, but when he decided to become a follower of Christ, the old Paul was crucified and died with Jesus. In turn he received new life, the life of God, through the Holy Spirit. In a real way, the force animating him is the very life of God and so, while still living in the flesh, Paul does not rely on his human energy, but on the Holy Spirit.

This is not just theory or theology: Paul is modelling what it means to give up control and to yield to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: how I think, speak and act can either be motivated by the flesh, or by the Spirit. Try to memorize this passage and repeat it to yourself at various times during the day: it might help you be more sensitive to the Spirit’s leading. 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.

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.