The Crucified Life

(#70, Imperial, 1956, 1964)

Read 2 Corinthians 5:14-15.

There are two sides to the Cross: 1) The objective or eternal view of Calvary that "Christ died for our sins;" 2) The subjective effect of Calvary that Christ's death has on the heart and life of the saved.  The power of the cross does not stop with forgiveness of sins.  It effects the life after we have been saved.

There is one word -- co-crucifixion -- that explains what the Cross can do for our lives after we are saved.

The Fact of Co-Crucifixion.

This is explained or indicated in such passages as...

w   Gal. 2:20: I am crucified with Christ.

w   Rom. 6:6: our old man is crucified with Him.

The Power of Co-Crucifixion.

ƒ    A new life is available from co-crucifixion.

w   Gal. 2:20: I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live.

w   1 Cor. 6:19: you are not your own.

w   Rom 7:4,6: we died to the law so we might walk in newness.

w   John 12:24,25: there is new fruitfulness gained from death.

ƒ    The flesh is put to death.  (Gal. 5:24)

The flesh causes more trouble for the Christian than anything else.  So through co-crucifixion it is put to death.

ƒ    The world is dead.  (Gal. 6:14)

The Method of Co-Crucifixion.

A person may truly be saved and yet struggle in his life.  Little things trip him up.  He sets out in the morning determined to win the fight but before the sun has mounted high in the heavens some temptation assails him and he goes down.  How is it possible to live consistently in our lives? 

Three words or phrases:

w   Reckon, Rom. 6:11.  Consider yourself dead to sin.

w   Mortify, Col. 3:4.  Put sin to death.

w   Put off, Col. 3:9.  Put off sin and put on Christ.

 

When you are tempted to do something that is wrong take up your position and say, "I have died to that thing."