"I have been crucified with Christ…" — Galatians 2:20

Sermon - crucified with Christ

"I have been crucified with Christ…" — Galatians 2:20

Dear lovers of the Word! Dear lovers of the Cross of Christ! You who seek to meditate on suffering and embrace the discipline of devotion — may you be granted the grace to meditate upon the cross of Christ and to crucify your flesh. Amen.

Today, let us reflect on specific truths about crucifying the self.

According to the above verse, the apostle Paul speaks of crucifying the “I” — the self. In contrast, the archangel Lucifer said, “I will ascend into heaven” (Isaiah 14:13). But immediately, God cast that proud angel down.

Second, Goliath also boasted and threatened the Israelites. He said, “Why have you come out to set your battle in array? Am I not a Philistine?... If I prevail and kill him, then you shall be our servants… I defy the armies of Israel this day” (1 Samuel 17:8–10). Goliath came forward full of pride, relying on the power of “I” — exalting himself.

But David came forward not in his own name but in the name of the Lord. He said, “I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied” (1 Samuel 17:45). Forgetting himself, and standing in God's name, David was able to slay Goliath effortlessly.

In the same way, we too must crucify the I — the proud, self-centered nature — within us.

It is the flesh that feeds and magnifies the self—the "I." So if we subdue the flesh, it is as though the "I" has been put to death. It is the flesh that leads us into ruin. The flesh gives rise to pride and makes us appear greater than we truly are. Imagine standing in a room with a thousand mirrors—you would see yourself reflected in all of them. In the same way, the flesh constantly elevates and glorifies the self.

All of one’s pride often stems from the physical body—how they look, their appearance, and their outward status. The phrase “Selfishness is a specialist” means that the flesh is an expert at promoting self. That is why we must first subdue the flesh. We must ignore it, as Paul said: “We are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh” (Romans 8:12). We must stop giving priority to the flesh—whether that be in terms of caste, culture, status, or social class.

1. The flesh must be rendered powerless, like a snake with its fangs removed. Is there anything good in the flesh? If there were, it would be empty of it. Paul clearly states in Romans 7:18, “I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwells no good thing.” Though I want to do good, my flesh will not allow me to. That is why Paul, fully understanding the nature of the flesh, warned us not to rely on it.

In Philippians 3:3, he declared, “We put no confidence in the flesh.” Paul makes a judgment of faithlessness against the flesh, declaring that it has lost all credibility. But there is indeed a way to subdue the flesh: “If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13).

There is a method to overcome the flesh. Paul, after preaching to many others, says of himself in 1 Corinthians 9:27: “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest after preaching to others I myself should become disqualified.”

2. The Israelites, after leaving Egypt and journeying some distance, camped in the wilderness of Rephidim. There, the Amalekites came and confronted them, attempting to stop their progress. As Moses had instructed, Joshua began to fight against them. Meanwhile, Moses stood on a hilltop, holding the rod of God in his hand.

When Moses lifted his hands, the Israelites prevailed. But whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites gained the upper hand. As his hands grew heavy, Aaron and Hur brought a stone for him to sit on, and they supported his hands—one on each side. Thus, Moses' hands remained steady until sunset, and the Israelites achieved victory.

This incident reveals a profound truth. The Amalekites were external enemies, confronting the Israelites outside the land of Canaan. But the seven nations within Canaan represented internal enemies—enemies within the land.Similarly, in our spiritual journey, our flesh is our Amalekite—our first and most immediate enemy. The flesh is the first opponent we must conquer.

Moses raised his hands as a symbol of prayer, and it was through this act of intercession that victory was secured. Raising hands signifies earnest prayer. It is only through prayer that the flesh and its deeds can be put to death—there is no other way. Through prayer alone can we overcome trials and temptations.

The Amalekites raised their hands against the Israelites. That is why the Lord declared, “The Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation” (Exodus 17:16). Likewise, only if we pray continually can we overcome the flesh and live in victory.

6. The old Adam—that is, the old sinful nature—still rises up from time to time. Even elderly people, though seasoned in life, sometimes behave like others in the flesh. That is why the flesh must constantly be discerned and dealt with.

Gideon continued to destroy the Amalekites from the beginning of his mission. However, though King Saul was able to kill all the Amalekites as commanded by God, he spared their king’s life. Because of this act of disobedience, God’s anger was kindled against Saul.

On the other hand, David not only destroyed the Amalekites completely but also executed the final Amalekite who brought news of Saul’s death. As a result, David received Hebron as his inheritance. Hebron means fellowship with God. Therefore, the flesh must be conquered through prayer, fellowship with God, and a life of devotion. When this happens, we, like John, will be able to lean on the bosom of the Lord, and we can enter into deep communion with God.

May such a blessed experience—true fellowship with the Father, through the help of the Holy Spirit—be granted to us all. Amen.