Neville Goddard on Galatians 2:20

Executive Summary

Neville Goddard interprets Galatians 2:20 as a statement of a mystical fact: the crucifixion is not a future or historical tragedy, but a completed event that was an experience of sheer ecstasy. The verse declares that your former self is gone and that your real being, Christ, now lives in you. This indwelling Christ is the Lord Jesus, who has literally become you, taking on all your human weaknesses and limitations to serve you.

Key Concepts

• The Crucifixion is a past event, not something one is moving towards.
• The experience of being crucified was one of sheer ecstasy, not sorrow.
• The phrase "Christ lives in me" means that your Real Being is Jesus, the Lord.
• Christ literally became you, taking on all your weaknesses and limitations.
• The full, conscious realization that you are the Lord comes when your son, David, appears to you.

Detailed Explanation

Neville Goddard explains that the statement, "I am crucified with Christ," refers to an event that is completely over. It happened in the very beginning and is not a sad moment to be anticipated or mourned. On the contrary, the experience of this mystical crucifixion is one of indescribable ecstasy and thrill.

The verse then reveals the consequence of this past event: "nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." This signifies a fundamental shift in identity. The old self has passed, and the being who now lives is Christ. This Christ is not an external figure but is your own Real Being, the Lord Jesus, who is buried within you.

This indwelling Christ did not simply join with you, but literally became you. He took upon Himself all of your weaknesses and limitations, becoming a servant to your will. This power within waits upon you indifferently, responding to your will whether it is for good or for evil. The life you now live in the flesh is lived by the faith of this Son of God within. While this is true for all, the full awakening to the truth that you are the Lord only occurs when your son, David, appears before you.

Important Quotes

I have been crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live, yet not I, Christ lives in me, and the life I now life in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God Who loved me and gave Himself for me.

— The Pattern Of Scripture Is Real

He literally became me just as I am, with all my weaknesses, all of my limitations.

— The Potters House

Well, I am telling you, your Real Being is Jesus. That's the Lord.

— Who Paul Really Is

Related Concepts

• I AM: The teaching that "your Real Being is Jesus" directly connects to the concept of I AM, the name of God, as your true identity.
• The Promise: The full realization of the truth of Galatians 2:20—that you are the Lord—is explicitly tied to a key event of The Promise: the appearance of your son, David.
• States: Christ taking on your "weaknesses" and "limitations" is an expression of the divine power entering into and identifying with a particular state of consciousness, which is the human form.

Common Misunderstandings

• The Crucifixion as a Sad Event: A common misunderstanding is to view the crucifixion as a sorrowful moment. The source material corrects this, stating it was an experience of "sheer ecstasy."
• Christ as an External Being: This verse is often interpreted as an external Christ living alongside a person. Neville clarifies that Christ literally became you and is your own Real Being.
• The Crucifixion as a Future Event: The teaching is not that you are moving toward a crucifixion, but that it is a mystical event that is already "completely over."

Practical Applications

The practical application of this teaching is to live by the faith that your true identity is Christ, the Son of God. The life you "now live in the flesh" is an opportunity to exercise this faith. Understanding that the divine power within you has taken on your limitations and serves your will, whether good or evil, underscores the importance of assuming the feeling of the wish fulfilled. Your inner being, Christ, is the power that brings your assumptions to pass.

Frequently Asked Questions

According to Neville, is the Crucifixion a future event?

No, the source material states clearly that the Crucifixion is over and happened in the very beginning.

What was the experience of the Crucifixion like?

It was not a sad moment. The source describes it as an experience of "sheer ecstasy" and thrill.

Who is the 'Christ' that lives in me?

Christ is your Real Being, the Lord Jesus. He is not an external entity but the true identity buried within you who has literally become you.

How do I know for sure that I am the Lord?

According to the source, you cannot fully know that you are the Lord until your son, David, appears to you.