Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

December 14– Evening

by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“I am crucified with Christ.”

—Galatians 2:20

The Lord Jesus Christ lives his life as a great public representative, and when he died on the cross he did so as a representative for his people. In his death, all his saints paid the judicial penalty they owed to God, and this removed any further need for divine judgment. The Apostle Paul delighted to think that, as one of Christ’s chosen people— being in Christ— he himself died upon that cross. He did more than believe this doctrinally, he accepted it confidently, resting his hope upon it. He believed that by virtue of Christ’s death, he had satisfied divine justice and found reconciliation with God.

Dear Believer, what a blessed thing it is when by faith the soul stretches itself upon the cross of Christ and feels, “I am dead; the law has crucified me, and I am now free from its power. In My Divine Representative I have borne the full condemnation and curse of the Law!”

And Paul didn’t stop there! He not only believed in Christ’s death in his behalf but felt its power at work in himself, causing the crucifixion of his old corrupt nature day by day. When he saw the pleasures of sin, he said, “I cannot enjoy these things: I am dead to them.” This is the experience of every true Christian; he relates to the allurements of this world as one who is utterly dead.

And even that is not the end of the story! While the Christian is conscious of his death to the world, he, at that same time, exclaims with the Apostle, “Yet, I live.” The believer is fully alive unto God!

What a matchless riddle this is. No worldling can comprehend it; even the believer himself cannot fully grasp it. Dead, yet alive! Crucified with Christ and yet risen with Christ in newness of life! Union with the Christ is a soul-cheering thing. O that we would know its joy to the fullest! [M&E]