A.W. Tozer wrote: “In every Christian’s heart there is a cross and a throne, and the Christian is on the throne till he puts himself on the cross. If he refuses the cross, he remains on the throne. Perhaps this is at the bottom of the backsliding and worldliness among gospel believers today. We want to be saved but we insist that Christ do all the dying. No cross for us, no dethronement, no dying. We remain king within the little kingdom of Man soul and wear our tinsel crown with all the pride of a Caesar, but we doom ourselves to shadows and weakness and spiritual sterility.” (The Radical Cross: Living the Passion of Christ)
This picture portrays the reality of the struggle of a Christian. It is not a game of musical chairs. Human nature always strives to grab the throne, flee away from the cross. It is a moment-by-moment choice. A disciple should joyfully and voluntarily choose to be crucified. With regular spiritual discipline and commitment, a disciple can declare like Paul. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
Paul writes that by faith, believers are buried with Him and raised up with Him. “Having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12) Paul brings to focus that the Christian life is identification with Lord Jesus Christ in crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. Sinners were dead in their trespasses, Lord Jesus has made them alive, having forgiven their trespasses. (Colossians 2:13)
Christian life is everyday crucifixion, burial, and resurrection in Christ, that is demonstrated to the world by righteous, upright and blameless life.
Am I crucified with Christ to rise up and live a holy life?