Christ Living in Us
Just as the sky is filled with light not from within the paper lanterns themselves but from a source placed inside, so too our lives shine only because Christ dwells within.
In today’s devotional, Bob Hoekstra brings to life the liberating truth embedded in Galatians 2:20—a verse that encapsulates the exchanged life in Christ. His teaching invites us to move beyond viewing the Christian life as something we must perform and instead embrace a grace-filled union in which Christ lives His life through us.
The passage begins with the declaration of co-crucifixion: “I have been crucified with Christ.” This isn’t mere poetry. It’s the divine reality that our old self in Adam was put to death with Jesus. The cross, once an instrument of shame, is now our testimony of liberation. The “I” that sought life through effort, self-improvement, or independence has died.
But the message doesn’t end in death—it breathes new life. Because we were raised with Christ, our lives are no longer ours to control or maintain. “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” The center of spiritual living has shifted. We don’t ask Jesus to give us a better version of ourselves. He gives us Himself. We aren’t polishing the old creation—we’ve become new in Him.
This life—this wondrous, grace-saturated life—is lived by faith. Not by rule-keeping or fleshly striving, but by daily trust in the Son of God who loves us and gave Himself for us. It is a day-by-day reliance, moment-by-moment dependence, through which the indwelling Christ expresses Himself in our thoughts, words, relationships, and choices.
True humility is not thinking less of ourselves—it is no longer looking to ourselves as the source at all. And true faith is not working harder—it’s trusting deeper. That is the grace of Galatians 2:20: Christ is our life.
Journal Entry | The Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
You are not living by your own effort anymore—I am. You were crucified with Christ. That old striving self, the one born of Adam, has no more claim on you. You died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. I dwell in you now.
The life you now live in the body is not sourced by your flesh, but by Me. I am the One who speaks when you trust. I am the One who loves when you yield. I am the One who leads when you abide. When your eyes are fixed on the Son of God, I express Him through you.
Do not return to the false belief that Christian living is about your best efforts. You are not meant to be a better version of yourself—you are a vessel for Another. Just as the branch bears fruit only by abiding in the vine, so your life bears fruit only by resting in Me.
You walk by faith, not by sight. And I am faithful. When the path looks uncertain, remember: the Son of God loves you and gave Himself for you. He gave you Me. And I will be your peace, your patience, your wisdom, your joy. Not in part, but in fullness.
Remain in Me. Live by trusting Me. Watch how Christ is seen—through you.
Scriptures woven into the journal: Galatians 2:20, Colossians 3:3, John 15:5, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Romans 6:6, Galatians 6:14, Ephesians 2:5
Prayer
Lord, I trust You to live Your life in me and through me in this moment. I thank You that I’ve already died with Christ and that my old life no longer defines me. I rejoice that I’m not called to manufacture anything—but simply to abide, to rest, and to trust. I embrace this exchanged life with humility and joy, knowing that everything I need is already mine in Christ. I live today by faith, and I welcome the adventure of watching Your life expressed through mine.
Amen.
Devotional Credit: Day by Day by Grace by Bob Hoekstra
Image Credit: Photo from Unsplash.com