Let’s first look at what it isn’t. Notice Jesus doesn’t ask that we take up His cross. He doesn’t encourage that we afflict ourselves with pain in order that we “share in His sufferings!” He didn’t say this to institute new religious laws like living a life without nice possessions, living a life that’s void of any entertainment or pleasure, or even maintaining a lowly opinion about oneself. It’s also not about living in persistent guilt regarding mistakes. Certainly, no amount of condemnation or pity can pay for sin.
What Is the Crucified Life?
Bible scholars often instruct that “Scripture interprets Scripture.” By this they mean that we must be careful not to derive doctrine from a single verse, but to use other similar Scriptures to glean more insight into difficult or unclear concepts. Certainly, this principle helps to understand the idea of the crucified life.
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The book of Galatians offers several verses to aid our understanding. First, Paul speaks of the crucifixion of self. He boasts, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal. 2:20, MEV, emphasis added). Next, Paul speaks this way regarding the flesh: “Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh” (Gal. 5:24, MEV, emphasis added). And finally, regarding the world: “God forbid that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world” (Gal. 6:14, MEV, emphasis added). It’s crucial to note that in each verse, whether regarding the self, the flesh, or the world, Paul speaks of crucifixion as something that already happened (past tense)—not something yet to happen. Keep reading.
