WEEK 4 // DAY 4

CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST

Paul’s words in verse 24 are strong and deeply hopeful. He says that those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. This does not mean believers no longer experience temptation or struggle. We know from the surrounding verses that the flesh and the Spirit remain in conflict. But Paul is saying something decisive has happened. If you belong to Jesus, the flesh no longer has the same authority over you.

The image of crucifixion points us back to the cross. Jesus did not come merely to improve your life or inspire better behavior. He came to deal with sin at its root. Through His death, He broke sin’s ruling power. Through His resurrection, He opened the way into new life. And through the Holy Spirit, what Jesus accomplished becomes active in you. You are not fighting sin as someone still enslaved to it. You are resisting sin as someone who belongs to Christ.

That is an important difference. If you believe the flesh still owns you, then temptation will feel inevitable. You may think, “This is just who I am,” or “I always end up here,” or “I will never change.” But Paul speaks a better word over you. You belong to Christ Jesus. Your old patterns may still call your name, but they are not your master. Your desires may still need to be reordered, but they are not your identity. Your past may still affect you, but it does not own you.

This truth also keeps us from two unhealthy extremes. On one side, we may try to change by our own effort, as though the cross were not enough and the Spirit were not present. On the other side, we may become passive, assuming that since God changes us, we have no part to play. Paul gives us a better way. Because you belong to Christ and the flesh has been crucified, you can now actively say no to what once ruled you and yes to the Spirit who gives life.

Today, remember whose you are. You do not belong to your anger, insecurity, greed, lust, fear, or approval-seeking. You belong to Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the Spirit is at work in you, helping you live from the freedom Christ has already won.