(Galatians 2:20)
The Cross That Calls for Change
Rev Dr Mar Pongener
General Secretary, Nagaland Baptist Church Council
As I reflect on Good Friday this year, the words from Epistle to the Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. …” have gripped my heart in a deeper way.
It is a familiar verse, often quoted and heard, yet this time it speaks to me personally with unusual clarity and conviction. It has caused me to pause and look within myself. In the busyness of ministry and daily responsibilities, it is easy to speak about Christ without truly allowing Him to take full control of the self. This simple yet profound phrase, “No longer I,” confronts me with an honest question: how much of my life is still driven by my own desires, my own plans, and my own will? It reminds me that understanding oneself; our motives, struggles, and even hidden pride is essential if we are to experience true transformation.
As I set out to write this, I found myself challenged before I could challenge others. The Cross does not only call us to remember what Christ has done; it calls us to examine who we are. It invites us to bring our “self” into the light of His sacrifice and to ask whether we are truly living the life described in Scripture. A life where it is no longer I, but Christ who lives in me. Apostle Paul declares, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” This verse does not end with death. It continues with a powerful affirmation: “but Christ lives in me.” These words capture the very essence of what Good Friday truly means. The Cross is not only about dying; it is also about new life. The Cross is not only about what Christ did for us; it is also about what must happen within us. It is an invitation to a life of transformation. When we surrender our old self, Christ Himself comes to dwell within us. Our lives are no longer driven by our own strength or wisdom, but by His presence and power. This indwelling of Christ brings transformation from the inside out. It changes our attitudes, reshapes our desires, and renews our minds. It enables us to forgive when it is difficult, to love when it is costly, and to stand firm when we are tested. It produces a life that reflects the character of Christ in our daily relationships, decisions, and actions.
At the heart of this truth is the idea of death to the old self. When Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ,” he is describing a spiritual reality. The “I” represents our old nature—our pride, selfish ambitions, sinful desires, and our tendency to live independently of God. To be crucified with Christ means that this old self is put to death. It is a call to surrender, to let go of a life centered on “me,” and to embrace a life centered on Christ. This message speaks powerfully into the context of Nagaland today. We are known as a Christian state, with a rich heritage of faith passed down through generations. Churches are active, ministries are vibrant, and the name of Christ is widely professed. Yet, we must honestly ask: Has our faith truly transformed our lives? Or has Christianity, for some of us, become more of an identity than a lived reality? Paul further says, “The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God.” This highlights the ongoing nature of the Christian life.
Transformation is not a one-time event, but a daily journey. To live by faith means to depend on Christ continually, to trust Him in every situation, and to seek His will above our own.
We live in a time where the pull of “self” is strong. The desire for recognition, power, and personal gain often overshadows the call to humility and service. Tribalism, corruption, division, and a spirit of competition continue to challenge our society. Even within the church, there can be tendencies toward comparison, pride, and self-interest. In such a context, the message “No longer I, but Christ” becomes both relevant and urgent. For the church in Nagaland, this is a crucial reminder. Our witness to the world is not determined by how loudly we profess our faith, but by how clearly we reflect Christ in our lives. When Christ truly lives in us, it will be evident in our homes, our workplaces, our communities, and in public life. It will be seen in honesty, compassion, humility, and a genuine concern for others.
In the context of our rapidly changing society, this call to live by faith is especially important. As Nagaland navigates modern challenges; urbanization, unemployment, social change, and shifting values, the temptation is to rely solely on human wisdom and strategies. While these have their place, the foundation of our lives must remain rooted in Christ. A transformed society begins with transformed men and women who live by faith and walk in obedience to God. For many of us, the challenge is not in understanding this truth, but in living it out. It is easier to attend a Good Friday service than to crucify our pride. It is easier to sing about the Cross than to surrender our will. It is easier to identify as Christians than to live as true followers of Christ. Yet, the message of Galatians 2:20 leaves no room for a half-hearted faith. It calls for total surrender.
As we reflect on the Cross this Good Friday, we must ask ourselves some honest questions: What does “I” still control in my life? What areas have I not surrendered to Christ? Am I living for myself, or is Christ truly living in me? These are not comfortable questions, but they are necessary if we desire genuine transformation. The word of God is clear that this transformation is not something we achieve by our own effort. It is made possible through the grace of God. Christ “loved me and gave himself for me.” Our transformation is rooted in His love. It is because He gave Himself for us that we can give ourselves to Him. It is because He lives that we can live a new life.
Good Friday stands as one of the most sacred days in the Christian calendar. Across Nagaland, churches are filled, hymns are sung with deep emotion, and believers gather in solemn remembrance of the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. For many, it is a day marked by reverence, silence, and reflection. Yet, beyond the rituals and gatherings, Good Friday carries a message that is deeply personal and transformative, a message that calls each one of us to examine our lives. To say “no longer I” means that our personal ambitions must yield to God’s purpose. It means choosing integrity over convenience, unity over division, and service over self-promotion. It calls leaders to lead not for power, but for the glory of God. It challenges us to pursue not just for success but godliness. It reminds every believer that following Christ is not about maintaining an image, but about living a transformed life.
Good Friday, therefore, is not just about remembrance; it is about response. The Cross stands as a powerful symbol of God’s love, but it also stands as a call to discipleship. Jesus did not merely die so that we could be forgiven; He died so that we could be transformed. He calls us to take up our own cross—to deny ourselves, to follow Him, and to live for His purposes. As we stand at the foot of the Cross, we are reminded that Christianity is not merely about believing the right things, but about becoming new people in Christ. The call of Good Friday is a call to surrender, to transformation, and to a deeper walk with God. Let this Good Friday not pass as just another observance. Let it be a turning point. Let it be the day we lay down our pride, our selfishness, and our old ways, and say with conviction, “No longer I, but Christ.”
Scripture reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here.” The Cross invites us into this new life. When we surrender our old self, Christ comes to dwell within us. Our lives are no longer governed by our own strength, but by His presence and power. This indwelling brings transformation from the inside out. It reshapes our desires, renews our minds, and enables us to live differently. Jesus Himself makes this call clear in Luke 9:23, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” The Cross calls us to a new way of living. We are not called to live for ourselves, guided by our own desires and ambitions. We are called to live in Christ, to walk in His will, and to reflect His life daily. When we no longer live for self but allow Christ to live in us, our lives become a testimony of His grace and power. May we not live for self, but live in Christ, now and always.
If the people of Nagaland truly embrace this message, the impact will go far beyond our churches. It will touch our society, our relationships, and our future. A land that is not only called Christian, but is truly Christ-like, will become a powerful witness to the world. May the Cross of Christ not only be remembered, but truly lived.
