Are You Truly Crucified With Christ?
Easter is easy to celebrate without allowing the cross to change us. We can sing about the resurrection, speak about Jesus’ sacrifice, and still build our lives around comfort, approval, and our own desires. But the early Church understood that following Christ required complete surrender.
In Acts 5, the apostles were arrested for preaching Jesus. The religious authorities ordered them to stop speaking in His name, but their loyalty had already been settled.
“We must obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29, ESV
The apostles were threatened, beaten, and publicly humiliated. Still, they refused to remain silent. They left rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus, then continued teaching and preaching every day.
These men were not merely claiming Christ. Their lives belonged to Him.
To be crucified with Christ means the old life no longer has the final word. Our pride, selfish ambition, fear of people, and demand for control must be placed upon the altar.
We cannot follow Jesus while continually protecting everything He calls us to surrender.
This does not mean believers earn salvation through suffering or sacrifice. Jesus alone accomplished salvation through His death and resurrection. But the grace that saves us also changes us. Genuine faith produces obedience, even when obedience carries a cost.
The question is not whether we celebrate Easter or call ourselves Christians. The question is whether Christ truly rules our lives. Will we obey when the culture pushes back? Will we speak truth when silence would be easier? Will we follow Jesus when discipleship becomes costly?
The full message above explores Acts 5 and challenges us to examine whether we are merely claiming the name of Jesus or living as people who have truly surrendered everything to Him.
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