Project – A CRUCIFIED CHRISTIAN

Project – A CRUCIFIED CHRISTIAN

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

The Christian life, at its core, is one of death and resurrection — not merely in physical terms, but in spiritual identity, moral reorientation, and daily conduct. The central truth of the gospel is that Christ died and rose again, and believers are called to participate in this pattern. Paul captures this reality in Galatians 2:20: “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.” This verse encapsulates the essence of what it means to be a “crucified Christian” — a person who no longer lives to satisfy personal desires but who yields to Christ’s Lordship in every area of life. The crucified Christian is not just a moral adherent but someone whose entire being is united with the sacrificial life and resurrection of Christ.

Although the term “crucified Christian” is seldom used in modern Christian vocabulary, it represents a deep biblical reality. The crucifixion of the self — the old, sinful nature — is foundational to the Christian journey. Many believers today engage in church attendance, ministry activities, and even personal devotion, but fail to embody the dying-to-self that Jesus demanded. Romans 6:6 clarifies this calling: “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.” This verse affirms that genuine Christian transformation begins with a death — the crucifixion of the flesh — and is sustained through the resurrection life of Christ.

Historically, the theology of sanctification has emphasized this inward crucifixion. Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s (1937) famous statement in The Cost of Discipleship — “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die” — underscores the radical nature of Christian commitment. This death is not only a figurative expression; it signifies the real surrender of the will, ambitions, and selfishness. Church fathers such as Augustine, Reformers like John Calvin, and holiness theologians like John Wesley consistently taught that the Christian must undergo a continual process of dying to the old nature. Thus, crucifixion is not a one-time event at conversion but a lifelong journey of surrender and spiritual renewal.

In contrast, modern Christianity, especially in Westernized and urban African contexts, often preaches a gospel of personal fulfillment, comfort, and self-advancement. Teachings that emphasize success, prosperity, and personal breakthrough tend to overshadow the call to suffer, deny oneself, and live in humility. In many churches, suffering is seen as a lack of faith, and self-denial is sometimes equated with legalism. Yet, Jesus made it clear in Luke 9:23: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” The implication is that the true Christian life is marked by daily crucifixion — not an occasional struggle but a continual yielding to God’s will, even when it is painful or unpopular.

The neglect of the crucified life may explain the spiritual superficiality and moral compromise seen in many contemporary Christian circles. Without the discipline of dying to self, believers are left vulnerable to pride, worldliness, and spiritual stagnation. Watchman Nee (1957), in The Normal Christian Life, notes that many Christians try to live for Christ without first dying with Him, which inevitably leads to frustration and defeat. Crucifixion, therefore, is not optional but essential. It is the path to inner transformation, spiritual authority, and intimacy with God. The resurrected life that so many desire cannot precede the crucified life that so many avoid.

In light of these realities, this study seeks to reawaken the Church to the biblical call of crucifixion — to restore the doctrine of dying to self as a cornerstone of Christian discipleship. In doing so, it draws from Scripture, historical theology, and contemporary Christian experience to articulate what it means to be a crucified Christian today. As Paul wrote in Philippians 3:10: “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” Only through death to self can the believer fully experience the life of Christ. Thus, this study invites all who profess Christ to rediscover the narrow road of crucifixion, that they may truly live.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

In today’s Christian landscape, there exists a profound and troubling contradiction between what many profess and how they live. While churches are filled with individuals who claim allegiance to Jesus Christ, there is often little evidence of the radical self-denial and crucified living that He commanded. Jesus clearly stated in Luke 9:23, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” This call is not symbolic or optional; it is central to Christian discipleship. However, modern Christianity frequently leans toward teachings that elevate self-comfort, individual success, and emotional affirmation, sidelining the hard truths of suffering, self-discipline, and surrender.

This contradiction becomes even more evident when one examines the cultural trends within churches today. Many believers seek experiences that are emotionally gratifying or materially beneficial but are less interested in teachings that challenge the ego, call for repentance, or demand total submission to God’s will. The idea of carrying one’s cross daily has been replaced with the pursuit of blessings and breakthroughs. This has led to a diluted Christianity where external appearances—such as regular church attendance, speaking in religious terms, or participating in church activities—are mistaken for genuine spiritual transformation rooted in the crucified life.

Such inconsistencies prompt crucial theological and practical questions. Can a person be truly conformed to Christ without embracing His path of suffering and sacrifice? What does it mean to be a disciple if not a follower of the crucified Lord? Paul’s declaration in Romans 6:6, “Our old self was crucified with Him,” implies that conversion to Christ involves a complete break from the power of sin and self. Yet many Christians resist this doctrine, preferring to blend their old lives with new beliefs rather than undergoing a death-to-self experience. This resistance reveals a deep misunderstanding—or rejection—of the foundational truth that Christian life begins with crucifixion.

This failure to embrace the crucified life has serious consequences for the spiritual health of the Church. The decline in holiness, brokenness, humility, and moral courage among believers is not simply the result of secular influence but stems from within—from a Christianity that no longer preaches or practices death to self. As Watchman Nee (1957) aptly stated in The Normal Christian Life, “God never intended that we should live the Christian life by our own effort but that Christ should live His life through us.” This Christ-life can only be activated when the self-life is put to death. Without the cross, there can be no resurrection; without surrender, there can be no empowerment.

Furthermore, this disconnect between biblical instruction and contemporary practice weakens the Church’s witness to the world. When Christians do not live crucified lives, they reflect a distorted image of Christ—one who fits comfortably within cultural norms rather than challenging them. Hypocrisy, lukewarm faith, and moral compromise arise when the crucifixion of the flesh is no longer taught or pursued. The Church becomes indistinct from the world, lacking the spiritual authority, integrity, and power that marked the early believers who “loved not their lives even unto death” (Revelation 12:11).

Therefore, the central problem confronting modern Christianity is not a shortage of religious activities, charismatic leadership, or financial resources. It is a shortage of crucified Christians—men and women who have died to self and live only for the glory of Christ. Until the Church returns to the foundational principle of crucifixion with Christ, it will continue to produce believers who are outwardly religious but inwardly unchanged. This study seeks to confront this crisis by reasserting the biblical necessity and transformative power of the crucified life, calling believers back to the cross where true discipleship begins.

1.3 Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is to explore the theological and practical implications of being a “crucified Christian.” It aims to:

  1. Examine biblical foundations for the crucified life.
  2. Analyze how this concept has been interpreted by theologians and Christian thinkers.
  3. Evaluate the relevance and application of the crucified life in today’s Christian experience.
  4. Propose ways in which believers can embody this principle in their daily walk with God.

1.4 Research Questions

This study seeks to answer the following questions:

  1. What does it mean to be crucified with Christ according to the Bible?
  2. How have key Christian theologians and authors interpreted the crucified life?
  3. What are the signs of a crucified Christian in contemporary contexts?
  4. How can the Church promote crucified living among believers today?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study holds deep significance because it re-centers the Christian faith on its foundational and often-neglected call: to die to self and live entirely for Christ. In a society that exalts self-expression, personal ambition, and individual autonomy, the crucified life is a radical countercultural message. It challenges prevailing ideologies that place self at the center and instead points believers back to the example of Jesus Christ, who emptied Himself for the sake of others (Philippians 2:5–8). By examining the concept of the crucified Christian, this study offers a redemptive alternative to the shallow expressions of faith that dominate much of contemporary church culture.

In today’s church landscape, where prosperity, comfort, and self-fulfillment are frequently emphasized, this study functions as a prophetic corrective. It calls the Church back to the message of the cross, which is not just the place of Christ’s death but the model for Christian living. Luke 14:27 reminds us, “Whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” The emphasis on personal crucifixion reclaims the true meaning of discipleship and confronts the growing trend of consumer Christianity, where people approach faith only for what they can receive rather than what they must surrender.

For pastors, teachers, and church leaders, this study provides a biblically grounded framework for discipleship training, spiritual formation, and preaching. It equips them to reintroduce the doctrine of sanctification and holiness in a way that is both scripturally faithful and pastorally relevant. Leaders will be better positioned to foster churches where the fruit of the Spirit, not just gifts or charisma, define spiritual maturity. By highlighting the crucified life, the study empowers leaders to model and teach a faith that is not afraid of suffering, self-denial, or sacrificial love.

Individual believers will also benefit immensely. Many Christians experience spiritual stagnation, moral failure, or inward dissatisfaction because they have not embraced the death of self. This study outlines a clear pathway to deeper intimacy with God and greater victory over sin. As Paul longed in Philippians 3:10, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” this journey of crucifixion becomes the bridge to a more vibrant and transformative faith experience. It restores the believer’s identity as one who is not only saved by Christ but conformed to His likeness.

Moreover, this study enhances the Church’s witness to the world. In an age marked by moral compromise and a loss of credibility within the public square, the return to crucified living offers authenticity and integrity. A crucified Christian is someone who models humility, sacrificial love, and uncompromising holiness — traits that stand in stark contrast to the cultural norm. Such individuals become living testimonies of the gospel, drawing others not by empty religion or flashy promises but by the power of a transformed life. This is what Jesus meant when He said, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Finally, the study contributes to academic and theological discourse by reviving interest in a neglected but essential doctrine. The theology of the cross and the practice of self-crucifixion have been central to Christian orthodoxy throughout the centuries — from the early church martyrs to Reformation thinkers and contemporary holiness movements. By situating this study within both biblical exegesis and historical theology, it invites renewed exploration among scholars, seminaries, and Christian institutions. It bridges the gap between academic theology and practical spirituality, reminding the Church that to be truly Christian is to be crucified with Christ.

1.6 Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study focuses on the concept of the crucified Christian as presented in the New Testament, with particular emphasis on the writings of Paul. It incorporates theological reflections from early church fathers, Reformers, and contemporary Christian authors. The study does not delve deeply into denominational differences but rather emphasizes the universal biblical call to crucifixion of the self. Geographically, the study draws examples primarily from Nigerian Christian contexts to illustrate the applicability of its themes in an African setting.

1.7 Definition of Key Terms

Crucified Christian: Crucified Christian refers to a believer who consciously lives in union with the death of Jesus Christ, not merely in belief but in daily lifestyle and character. This individual embraces the spiritual reality described in Galatians 2:20 — “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” Such a Christian continually denies the flesh, resists worldly temptations, and yields fully to the control of the Holy Spirit. Their priorities, desires, and identity are reshaped by the cross, leading to a life marked by humility, obedience, and spiritual maturity. The crucified Christian does not live for personal gain but for the glory of God.

Self-Denial: Self-denial is the deliberate act of renouncing one’s own personal desires, preferences, or ambitions in favor of God’s will and purpose. It is a central tenet of Christian discipleship, as emphasized by Jesus in Luke 9:23: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Self-denial involves saying “no” to the cravings of the flesh, resisting selfish ambitions, and aligning one’s actions with the example and teachings of Christ. It is not merely an occasional sacrifice, but a lifestyle of submission and spiritual discipline that places God’s priorities above personal comfort or convenience.

Sanctification: Sanctification is the ongoing process by which a believer is made holy — set apart for God’s purposes and conformed to the image of Christ. It involves both divine initiative and human cooperation. Theologically, it is rooted in passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:3: “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified.” This process requires the crucifixion of the sinful nature and a growing sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit. As believers walk in sanctification, they are progressively transformed in thought, behavior, and character, reflecting the holiness of God in practical and observable ways. Sanctification includes repentance, renewal, and spiritual discipline, and it is closely tied to the idea of living the crucified life.

Discipleship: Discipleship is the intentional process of following Jesus Christ in obedience, spiritual growth, and transformation. It involves learning from Christ, imitating His character, and living in conformity to His teachings and mission. Discipleship is not a passive religious affiliation but an active journey that includes suffering, sacrifice, and daily decisions to prioritize God’s will over personal preference. In Matthew 16:24, Jesus states, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Thus, discipleship includes the elements of self-denial, crucifixion of the flesh, and spiritual formation, resulting in a life that glorifies God and impacts others.

Project – A CRUCIFIED CHRISTIAN