Friday: The Execution of the "I"
- Dr. Michael Stallings
- Mar 6
- 3 min read
Galatians 2:20 (HCSB) — "I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me..."
By applying the crucifixion to himself, Paul illustrates the required Systemic Collapse of self-rule. For the Gospel to be a Rescue, the old "I"—the version of you that tried to save itself—has to be executed. It’s more than mental ascent. It's the transferral of ownership. Christ is very clear when he describes the level of allegiance he requires:
1) Hating Family in Comparison to Allegiance to Him
Gospel of Luke 14:26
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters — yes, and even his own life — he cannot be My disciple.”
He is not commanding emotional hostility. He is declaring supreme allegiance. Every competing loyalty — family, tribe, identity, even self-preservation — must lose ownership rights. That is execution language.
2) Taking Up the Cross
Gospel of Luke 9:23
“If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
In the first century, a cross was not metaphorical self-improvement. It meant:
Public death.
Loss of control.
State-authorized execution.“Deny himself” is not self-discipline. It is disowning the self as ultimate authority.
3) Losing Life to Save It
Gospel of Matthew 16:25
“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will find it.”
The self-project — saving, preserving, securing — must collapse. Only surrendered life is resurrected life.
Galatians 2:20 is not metaphorical enthusiasm but transfer of ownership.
The old “I” — performer, tribe-loyalist, self-savior — is executed.
The authority structure changes.
“Christ lives in me.”
Jesus already announced this path:
Hate lesser loyalties.
Carry the instrument of death.
Lose your life.
Paul is not innovating. He is describing the fulfillment of what Jesus required.
Grammatical Note: "Crucified with" (synestaurōmai) is in the Perfect Tense.
Linguistic Note: This indicates a past action with permanent, ongoing present results.
Meaning: You don't have to "die to self" every day to be saved; you live out of the reality that the "Old Man" is already legally dead. Christ is now the "Occupant" of your life.
The Reality: The Holy Spirit works by reminding you that your old self-justification project is over. You are free from the burden of being "the one who makes it happen."
Resolve to Rest. Christ is doing the living through you today. Ask Him to help you right now. He will.
God bless you as you continue to grow in your walk with Him! Psalm 9:10 states, "Those who know your name trust in you because you have not abandoned those who seek you, Yahweh." (HCSB) Augment your faith with the book people are using to transform their walk with Christ everyday. Click the cover and discover how God transforms those who know His Name and the names that describe His attributes, character and majesty. Just click the cover to begin a 30 day devotional journey that will humble and lift you to a deeper walk with Christ Jesus. Just click the Cover. Available in Kindle, paperback and Audible and other retailers offering ebooks.
#TrainAndTell #EvangelismTraining #DiscipleshipMatters #GreatCommission #ShareYourFaith #MakeDisciples #FaithInAction #GospelCentered #MinistryTools #ChristianLeadership #BiblicalTeaching #ChurchTraining #FaithEquipped #GoAndTell #KingdomMission #JesusSaves #EquipTheSaints #PersonalEvangelism #WitnessWell #TrainToTell