20a I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; not I, but Christ liveth in me.
Paul testifies here the reality of his salvation and its continuing influence in his life. This ought to be the testimony of every Christian. By the expression, “I am crucified with Christ”, Paul depicts the fact that when we are joined to Christ by faith, we die with Him. The curse of the law against our sins demanded our death. So Christ bore our sins and died on the cross on our behalf to take away the curse of the law against our sins. As Paul said in Colossians 2:14, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross”.
Being then crucified with Him, we are freed from all the curse and guilt of the law. We are only delivered from the yoke of the law by becoming one with Christ by faith in Him. Now the curse of the law has no power over us. So we can live without the fear of the condemnation of the law.
Paul then said, “nevertheless I live”. Paul wanted us to know that though he was crucified with Christ, he was not lifeless, inactive and insensible of spiritual realities. Rather, he is alive, as never before, to the things of God. When one is crucified with Christ, one becomes dead to sin, the world and the curse of the law, and alive in Christ unto God and His righteousness.
Hence, Paul’s statement at the end of our text: “yet not I, but Christ liveth in me”. Now his life is not driven anymore by self-righteousness, violence, worldliness, etc., but by Christ who lives in him. He is now a new creature, and no longer lives as he did in his unregenerate state while still in Judaism. He is no more Saul the blasphemer, the persecutor, the dangerous person; neither is he now Saul the Pharisee, living a hypocritical life! His life of righteousness is no more of himself, but of Christ. Being made alive in Christ, he now lives by the principles of life and holiness implanted in him through the presence and power of Christ who lives in him. Paul is no more living for himself; he is moulded and led by Christ who lives in him. Christ is not only the author and maintainer of his new life, but He is also the life itself!
Christ dwells in His people, and their lives are united with Him. They are now one with Him, from whom all the vital principles and powers of their life flow. As Christ lives in them, their lives in turn manifest His glory.