Living in the Garden of Grace: Baptized into the Crucifixion of Jesus (Part II)
Reflections on David Kuykendall’s Living in the Garden of Grace
"… you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ…"
—Romans 7:4
When we placed our faith in Jesus, we were baptized into His crucifixion, which means far more than just forgiveness of sins. In this section of Living in the Garden of Grace, David Kuykendall examines two additional features of our crucifixion: being dead to the law and crucified to the world. These truths unveil the depth of the freedom we have in Christ and call us into a life of Spirit-led dependence.
Dead to the Law: Freedom from Fleshly Living
“…you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ…”
—Romans 7:4
At the moment of our salvation, we died to the law. This means we are no longer bound to live by biblical commands in our own strength or timing. Kuykendall emphasizes that law-living—striving to meet God’s standards through self-effort—always operates in the flesh, as Paul explains:
“For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh…”
—Romans 8:3
This freedom extends to man-made rules and even well-intentioned resolutions like “doing my best for Jesus.” While such efforts might appear noble, they often lead to frustration and burnout because they rely on human effort rather than the Spirit’s enabling.
When we embrace our death to the law, we step into a life of responsiveness to God’s leading. Kuykendall makes it clear:
“When our life is one of responding to God, He can do and will do through us all that He desires.”
This doesn’t mean we neglect prayer, Bible study, or other spiritual disciplines. Rather, it means we approach these practices as Spirit-led responses, not legalistic obligations. For example, if God prompts us to establish a specific schedule for prayer and study, we are walking in the Spirit, not in legalism.
Crucified to the World: Victory Over Worldliness
"But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."
—Galatians 6:14
Being crucified with Christ also means we are crucified to the world, and the world is crucified to us. This truth breaks the power of “worldliness”—the allure of living for temporary pleasures, status, or approval.
To be crucified to the world is to no longer find our identity or satisfaction in what the world values. It’s a shift from pursuing the things of this world to seeking the kingdom of God. Kuykendall highlights that this crucifixion results in a greater victory over worldliness than we could have imagined.
This doesn’t mean we withdraw from the world but that we engage it from a place of freedom. We are no longer entangled by its distractions or driven by its demands. Instead, we live as ambassadors of Christ, representing His kingdom and His purposes.
Living Out the Truths of Crucifixion
Responding to the Spirit
Freedom from law-living invites us to live in step with the Holy Spirit. Instead of striving to meet self-imposed standards, we trust God to guide us moment by moment.Victory Over the Flesh
Being dead to the law breaks the power of the flesh, allowing us to walk in victory over sin. We no longer need to rely on human effort but can draw from the Spirit’s strength.Freedom from Worldliness
Crucifixion to the world empowers us to live for eternal purposes rather than temporary gains. Our values, priorities, and desires align with God’s kingdom.
Reflect & Respond
Take time to reflect on these questions:
Are there areas in your life where you are still striving to live by self-imposed rules or obligations?
How can you more fully embrace your freedom from the law and live in response to the Spirit’s leading?
What worldly attachments might God be calling you to surrender so you can live for His kingdom?
Pray this:
“Lord, thank You for crucifying me with Christ. Thank You for freeing me from the demands of the law and the distractions of the world. I surrender my striving and self-effort, trusting Your Spirit to lead and empower me. Align my heart with Your kingdom, and let my life be a testimony of Your grace and freedom. Amen.”
A Final Thought
The truths of our crucifixion with Christ are not just theological concepts—they are transformational realities. As Kuykendall reminds us, when we live in the freedom of being dead to the law and crucified to the world, we experience a life that is Spirit-led, victorious, and aligned with God’s purposes.
Let’s rest in the finished work of Christ, trusting Him to live His life through us and to accomplish all He desires in and through our lives.