Have You Crucified the Part of You That Still Tries to Earn God’s Approval?

“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20 (NLT)
https://bible.com/bible/116/gal.2.20.NLT

For years, when I read Paul’s words—“My old self has been crucified with Christ”—I assumed he meant only his old sinful nature. That’s true, but it’s not the whole story. Paul was also crucifying what he once considered good: his confidence in law-keeping, his religious pedigree, his spiritual résumé. The “old self” wasn’t just the sinner he used to be; it was the self that sought God’s approval through performance.

That’s why Galatians 2:20–21 is so liberating. Paul isn’t describing behavior reform; he’s announcing the end of self-reliance. The performer died, so that Christ could live through him. From now on, life in this “earthly body” is lived by trusting the Son of God—not by proving ourselves to Him (Galatians 2:20–21, NLT).

Have you crucified the part of your life—the old part—that still seeks God’s approval through performance, and feels His disapproval when you don’t measure up?

That’s the very part Paul was talking about when he wrote, “My old self has been crucified with Christ.” It’s the part that used to believe acceptance was earned, love was conditional, and righteousness was achieved by trying harder. That old version of you—the one who lived under constant pressure to prove yourself to God—died the day you placed your faith in Jesus Christ.

From Law to Life

In Galatians 2, Paul isn’t describing a mystical experience—he’s describing a revolution. He’s saying: “The me who tried to be righteous by keeping the law no longer exists.” The cross didn’t just forgive his sin; it ended the system of self-effort that defined his relationship with God. The law said, “Do this and live.” Grace says, “It is finished.”

Paul’s old self—the self-righteous, performance-driven, approval-seeking version of himself—was nailed to the cross with Christ. In its place rose a new life: Christ in him, the hope of glory.

From Trying to Trusting

“So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God…” (Galatians 2:20). The key word is trusting. Paul discovered that the Christian life isn’t lived by trying to please God—it’s lived by trusting the One who already does. Grace doesn’t empower you to perform; it empowers you to rest in what Jesus has already done.

When you stop striving to be accepted, you finally begin to experience the joy of being loved. You no longer wake up wondering if you’ve done enough—you wake up knowing that Christ is enough.

From Pressure to Peace

In the very next verse, Paul drives the point home: “I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.” (Galatians 2:21 NLT)

The grace of God is the most valuable thing in my life and in yours.

If your relationship with God feels heavy, pressured, or uncertain, it may be because you’re still carrying around that “old self.” Crucify it again—by remembering that the cross already ended the old performance-based you. You are not striving for approval; you are standing in grace.

Live Loved

Grace doesn’t ignore obedience—it inspires it. When you truly believe that you are loved, you begin to live like someone who is loved. You pray not to earn God’s favor, but because you already have it. You serve not to get closer to Him, but because He already lives in you.

That’s the miracle of grace: the old self that tried to earn God’s approval died with Christ, and the new you now lives by trusting in the One who loved you and gave Himself for you.

Call to Action

If this message encouraged you, I’d love to hear from you. Share your thoughts below, or forward this post to someone who’s still trying to earn what Jesus already paid for in full. And if you haven’t already, subscribe to the blog so you never miss a new post that builds your faith and strengthens your walk with God.