Christ died for me, and now he lives and rules in me.

Little words make all the difference. I’m talking about prepositions like on or around or through. Four hours in the hot sunshine produces a much different result (ouch, sunburn) than four hours away from the hot sunshine.

Check out the three big “little words” in this verse that provide three powerful truths about Jesus and you.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20, emphasis added).

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

For—Jesus died for you. This is a substitution and sacrifice. In your place, Jesus took the anger of God for your sins. You are forgiven because of Jesus’ sacrifice for you. Saved!

With—This is association with Jesus. As his body was put to death on the cross, you have died to being a slave to sin. You are freed from sin’s curse.

In—Jesus Christ lives in you. He fills you. What makes an Amazon box at your front door light you up with eagerness? Because of what is in the box, not the box itself. What makes you special and saved? What brings a smile of delight to your heavenly Father’s face? What makes the angels sit on the edge of their seats and then jump up and celebrate? Not you alone. Not how you look or how well you achieve. Not your past or future. It’s about who is in you: Jesus Christ.

He is alive! Risen from the dead! He is Lord of all, including all the things in you and in your life that threaten, disturb, worry, or hurt you. They answer to Jesus, who has chosen you as his residence.

In you, Jesus sits on the throne of his kingdom. In you, Jesus prays faithfully to his Father. In you, Jesus invites the Holy Spirit to equip and empower your faith.

Your God and Savior is that personal, that committed. He doesn’t just visit. He moves in!

Author: Daron Lindemann
Volume 113, Number 04
Issue: April 2026