New Mind, New Desires
New Mind, New Desires: Understanding Your Identity in Christ
Have you ever felt like you're fighting a battle within yourself? Like there are competing voices in your heart, pulling you in different directions? If so, you're not alone. This internal struggle isn't evidence of a failed salvation or a weak God—it's actually proof that something profound has happened in your life.
What Does It Mean to Be Crucified with Christ?
In Galatians 2:20, Paul makes a shocking declaration: "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."
This isn't metaphorical language or spiritual exaggeration. Paul is describing a definitive reality that has already taken place. Notice he doesn't say "I'm trying to die to myself" or "I'm learning to crucify my flesh." He uses past tense: "I have been crucified."
A Death That Defines Us
The gospel doesn't rehabilitate your old self—it puts it to death. The Christian life doesn't begin with self-improvement; it begins with execution. The old self that lived independently from God, that tried to earn righteousness through good behavior, has been judged at the cross.
This death flows directly from our union with Christ. When you're united with Christ, His death counts as your death. That old master may still shout, but he has no authority. Those old chains may rattle, but the lock has been cut.
How Does Christ Live in Me?
When Paul says "it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me," he's not denying his personality or saying we all need to become robots. He's describing a transfer of authority in his life.
A Life That Now Reigns
The self that once governed identity, ambition, and confidence before God no longer reigns. Now Christ lives in him as the ruling presence. This isn't Christ assisting Paul with Paul's agenda—this is Christ indwelling Paul as the governing authority.
Christianity isn't imitation of Christ; it's union with Christ. A new source of life now governs the believer. The goal isn't just behavior modification—it's union with Jesus.
Why Do I Still Struggle with Sin?
Paul is remarkably realistic about the Christian life. He acknowledges that "the life I now live in the flesh" still involves weakness, temptation, and pressure. Union with Christ doesn't remove these struggles.
Living in the Tension
The tension believers feel isn't a sign they're losing the Christian life—it's a sign they're awake. Before Christ, you could sin without resistance. Now there is resistance because there's a new king within you.
This holy contradiction inside you—where you do things and think "that's not who I am"—is evidence that Christ is present and reigning in a life being reordered under His lordship.
What Does It Mean to Live by Faith?
Paul explains how life is lived under this new allegiance: "I live by faith." Notice what he doesn't say—he doesn't mention discipline, grit, willpower, or hard work as the foundation.
A New Way of Living
Faith here isn't a one-time act of conversion; it's ongoing dependence. Faith is a daily choice to rely on Christ rather than return to self-rule. It's the habit of bringing all your desires, fears, temptations, and decisions under Christ's authority.
Faith means believing what God says is true, even when your emotions say otherwise. The Christian life isn't sustained by trying harder—it's sustained by trusting deeper.
How Does Love Change Everything?
Paul ends with the foundation of true transformation: "the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me." This is deeply personal. Allegiance isn't sustained by fear or punishment—it's sustained by the assurance of love.
A Love That Secures Our Allegiance
Law can restrain behavior, but only love can redirect the heart. Christ didn't merely command Paul's loyalty; He purchased it. He loved Paul and gave Himself for Paul—and for you.
This substitutionary love anchors your faith when obedience seems costly. It reminds you that surrender to Christ isn't loss—it's the only response that makes sense to such overwhelming love.
What About My Competing Desires?
When believers struggle with having biblical desires or obedience, the deepest issue often isn't self-control—it's trust. The question becomes: whose love will shape my obedience? Whose approval will define my self-worth?
The more you're convinced of Christ's love for you, the more freely and joyfully you can submit to Christ's rule. Love accomplishes what the law never could—it captures the heart and secures our allegiances.
How Do I Know Which Voice to Follow?
Two voices still speak in the believer's life, but only one has authority. One voice has familiarity but not legitimacy. Christ's voice has authority even when it feels quieter at first.
When old desires rise, the question isn't whether the old self is still alive as a ruler—it's whether you'll live in light of the death God has already declared over your life.
Life Application
This week, practice returning to center when old desires rise. Instead of asking "Why is this still hard?" ask "Who reigns in my heart?" When you're struggling with sin in the moment, remind yourself: "Jesus Christ died for me and He loves me." This changes everything about how you respond to temptation.
Remember your death with Christ, remember who you are in Christ, submit again to Christ who lives in you, and trust Him by faith in each moment. Preach to your own heart that the Son of God loved you and gave Himself for you.
Consider these questions as you apply this truth:
What areas of my life am I still trying to control instead of trusting Christ's authority?
When I face temptation, do I rely on willpower or do I return to the truth of Christ's love for me?
How can I better recognize Christ's voice of authority versus the familiar but illegitimate voice of my old self?
What would change in my daily decisions if I truly believed that Christ's love has secured my allegiance?
Have you ever felt like you're fighting a battle within yourself? Like there are competing voices in your heart, pulling you in different directions? If so, you're not alone. This internal struggle isn't evidence of a failed salvation or a weak God—it's actually proof that something profound has happened in your life.
What Does It Mean to Be Crucified with Christ?
In Galatians 2:20, Paul makes a shocking declaration: "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."
This isn't metaphorical language or spiritual exaggeration. Paul is describing a definitive reality that has already taken place. Notice he doesn't say "I'm trying to die to myself" or "I'm learning to crucify my flesh." He uses past tense: "I have been crucified."
A Death That Defines Us
The gospel doesn't rehabilitate your old self—it puts it to death. The Christian life doesn't begin with self-improvement; it begins with execution. The old self that lived independently from God, that tried to earn righteousness through good behavior, has been judged at the cross.
This death flows directly from our union with Christ. When you're united with Christ, His death counts as your death. That old master may still shout, but he has no authority. Those old chains may rattle, but the lock has been cut.
How Does Christ Live in Me?
When Paul says "it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me," he's not denying his personality or saying we all need to become robots. He's describing a transfer of authority in his life.
A Life That Now Reigns
The self that once governed identity, ambition, and confidence before God no longer reigns. Now Christ lives in him as the ruling presence. This isn't Christ assisting Paul with Paul's agenda—this is Christ indwelling Paul as the governing authority.
Christianity isn't imitation of Christ; it's union with Christ. A new source of life now governs the believer. The goal isn't just behavior modification—it's union with Jesus.
Why Do I Still Struggle with Sin?
Paul is remarkably realistic about the Christian life. He acknowledges that "the life I now live in the flesh" still involves weakness, temptation, and pressure. Union with Christ doesn't remove these struggles.
Living in the Tension
The tension believers feel isn't a sign they're losing the Christian life—it's a sign they're awake. Before Christ, you could sin without resistance. Now there is resistance because there's a new king within you.
This holy contradiction inside you—where you do things and think "that's not who I am"—is evidence that Christ is present and reigning in a life being reordered under His lordship.
What Does It Mean to Live by Faith?
Paul explains how life is lived under this new allegiance: "I live by faith." Notice what he doesn't say—he doesn't mention discipline, grit, willpower, or hard work as the foundation.
A New Way of Living
Faith here isn't a one-time act of conversion; it's ongoing dependence. Faith is a daily choice to rely on Christ rather than return to self-rule. It's the habit of bringing all your desires, fears, temptations, and decisions under Christ's authority.
Faith means believing what God says is true, even when your emotions say otherwise. The Christian life isn't sustained by trying harder—it's sustained by trusting deeper.
How Does Love Change Everything?
Paul ends with the foundation of true transformation: "the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me." This is deeply personal. Allegiance isn't sustained by fear or punishment—it's sustained by the assurance of love.
A Love That Secures Our Allegiance
Law can restrain behavior, but only love can redirect the heart. Christ didn't merely command Paul's loyalty; He purchased it. He loved Paul and gave Himself for Paul—and for you.
This substitutionary love anchors your faith when obedience seems costly. It reminds you that surrender to Christ isn't loss—it's the only response that makes sense to such overwhelming love.
What About My Competing Desires?
When believers struggle with having biblical desires or obedience, the deepest issue often isn't self-control—it's trust. The question becomes: whose love will shape my obedience? Whose approval will define my self-worth?
The more you're convinced of Christ's love for you, the more freely and joyfully you can submit to Christ's rule. Love accomplishes what the law never could—it captures the heart and secures our allegiances.
How Do I Know Which Voice to Follow?
Two voices still speak in the believer's life, but only one has authority. One voice has familiarity but not legitimacy. Christ's voice has authority even when it feels quieter at first.
When old desires rise, the question isn't whether the old self is still alive as a ruler—it's whether you'll live in light of the death God has already declared over your life.
Life Application
This week, practice returning to center when old desires rise. Instead of asking "Why is this still hard?" ask "Who reigns in my heart?" When you're struggling with sin in the moment, remind yourself: "Jesus Christ died for me and He loves me." This changes everything about how you respond to temptation.
Remember your death with Christ, remember who you are in Christ, submit again to Christ who lives in you, and trust Him by faith in each moment. Preach to your own heart that the Son of God loved you and gave Himself for you.
Consider these questions as you apply this truth:
What areas of my life am I still trying to control instead of trusting Christ's authority?
When I face temptation, do I rely on willpower or do I return to the truth of Christ's love for me?
How can I better recognize Christ's voice of authority versus the familiar but illegitimate voice of my old self?
What would change in my daily decisions if I truly believed that Christ's love has secured my allegiance?
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