You Cannot Crucify Jesus Again to Be Set Free

Question

What does information technology mean to excruciate the flesh (Galatians 5:24)?

Answer

The concept of crucifying the flesh comes from the apostle Paul's words in Galatians v:24: "Those who vest to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." In this verse, it's articulate that crucifying the flesh is non something done to the believer, but by the believer: "Those who vest to Christ have crucified the flesh."

The "flesh" that must be crucified is the sin principle that exists in our fallen human nature. In this world we live in fleshly bodies, and the body, beingness weak (Mark 14:38), is the gateway to sin. Our bodies, though non sinful in themselves, naturally crave condolement and pleasure, and they besides often succumb to temptation, producing the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:nineteen–21). Sin entrenches itself in the flesh, which becomes dominated by iniquity of all kinds. It is the sinful passions and wayward deeds of the flesh that Christians must crucify.

In other places, Paul speaks of a crucifixion that happens to the believer through his or her matrimony with Jesus Christ: "I accept been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians two:20; encounter besides Romans 6:6). Simply in Galatians 5:24, information technology is the believer who has taken action. Excruciate the mankind describes a deliberate putting to expiry of the one-time sin nature.

Paul's instruction was inspired by Jesus Christ Himself, who said, "If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take upwardly his cross, and follow me" (Mark 8:34, CSB).

Take upwards the cross is a figure of speech closely related to crucify the flesh. Believers are to behave like a person carrying his own cross to the place of his execution. Paul follows the Lord'south words to their logical conclusion. Not only must believers pick up and carry their cross, only they must besides make sure their death sentence gets carried out. Crucifying the mankind illustrates the putting to death of selfish, sinful desires.

Believers are to have their one-time sin nature and, figuratively speaking, blast it to the cross. Nosotros excruciate the mankind through repentance of sin—by turning our backs on the old fashion of life, by saying no to selfish and sinful passions, and by utterly renouncing the flesh: "Exercise non let whatever role of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, only now you have new life. So utilize your whole body as an musical instrument to practice what is right for the glory of God" (Romans half dozen:13, NLT).

In the ancient world, crucifixion was the vilest, nearly shameful form of death, reserved for the worst of criminals. Paul undoubtedly wanted his readers to understand that the mankind is not to be treated with respect, kindness, or even indifference. The lecherous nature is then evil that information technology deserves nothing only the well-nigh dreadful of punishments. Crucifixion was also i of the almost painful forms of execution. Believers should not look to put to death the flesh without experiencing some pain and suffering.

The flesh and the spirit are in continual conflict with each other, so our daily calling equally followers of Christ is to excruciate the flesh: "For if you live according to the flesh, you will dice; but if past the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the torso, you will live" (Romans 8:13; see besides Romans 6:11). Because we have been delivered from sin and death to new life in Jesus Christ, nosotros are to yield ourselves to God for His good purposes and "put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:five).

To crucify the mankind is to obey the telephone call to Christian discipleship. It means losing our life to find information technology in Him (Matthew ten:39). As we daily put to decease the sinful nature, we brainstorm to walk in victory over the mankind. Conquering the flesh is what Paul describes as walking in the Spirit: "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and yous will not gratify the desires of the mankind" (Galatians 5:sixteen).

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This page last updated: January 4, 2022

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