Read Luke 9:23-26, Galatians 2:20

Paul names the heart of discipleship with startling clarity: union with Christ. Surrender, in the Christian life, is not about losing yourself—it is about being joined to Jesus. The old self defined by sin, fear, and self-rule has been crucified, and a new life has begun.

This verse does not describe self-erasure. Paul is not saying he has ceased to exist. He is saying that the center of his life has shifted. His identity, purpose, and power no longer originate in himself, but in Christ who lives within him. Discipleship becomes participation in Jesus’ life rather than performance for Jesus’ approval.

The cross, then, is not the end of the story—it is the doorway to transformation. Jesus does not ask you to die alone. He joins you in surrender and fills you with His resurrected life. What dies is the illusion that you must save yourself. What rises is a life shaped by grace.

This union reshapes how you face daily life. When fear arises, you remember that Christ lives in you. When obedience feels costly, you trust His life at work within yours. When weakness surfaces, you rely not on your strength, but on His presence.

Living “by faith in the Son of God” means trusting Jesus moment by moment. Faith is not abstract belief—it is daily dependence. Discipleship becomes a rhythm of trusting that Jesus’ life is sufficient for the life you are living.

This truth brings deep hope. The call of the cross is not a call to emptiness or despair. It is a call to transformation. You are not asked to carry the weight of discipleship alone. Christ lives in you, shaping you from the inside out.

Reflection Questions:

• What does Paul say has changed about his identity?
  
• How does union with Christ reshape surrender?
  
• Where do you need to trust Christ’s life in you right now?
  
• How does this bring hope to the call of the cross?

Journaling Prompt:

Reflect on what it means for Christ to live in you. Write about how this truth shapes your trust and obedience.