Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him (Rom. 6:8).
This is another way of saying what the apostle also said in another place, "If one died for all, then were all dead" (2 Cor. 5:14). So it is declared that "the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). Our Savior has died for our sins. The wages of sin have already been exacted in our behalf, and we have actually died with Christ upon the cross. As Christ rose to live a new life, so we may rise again and live anew spiritually. "For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection" (Rom. 6:5).
This wonderful truth is beautifully symbolized in the believer's baptism. We die to the old life; we rise to the new. We have been justified; we are being sanctified; we shall be glorified. "Your life is hid with Christ in God" (Col. 3:3), and "sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace" (rom. 6:14). Our will is Christ's will. In us, by the Holy Spirit, He not only wills but does God's good pleasure (Phil.. 2:13). We once served sin; we are now to serve righteousness. We have been born again, converted. As the apostle puts it: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Gal. 2:20).
The choice of this new life is ours in Christ. Shall we not choose it every day? Let us not forget the solemn words of Moses: "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live" (Deut. 30:19).
MEDITATION PRAYER: "Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word" (Ps. 119:17).
This is another way of saying what the apostle also said in another place, "If one died for all, then were all dead" (2 Cor. 5:14). So it is declared that "the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). Our Savior has died for our sins. The wages of sin have already been exacted in our behalf, and we have actually died with Christ upon the cross. As Christ rose to live a new life, so we may rise again and live anew spiritually. "For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection" (Rom. 6:5).
This wonderful truth is beautifully symbolized in the believer's baptism. We die to the old life; we rise to the new. We have been justified; we are being sanctified; we shall be glorified. "Your life is hid with Christ in God" (Col. 3:3), and "sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace" (rom. 6:14). Our will is Christ's will. In us, by the Holy Spirit, He not only wills but does God's good pleasure (Phil.. 2:13). We once served sin; we are now to serve righteousness. We have been born again, converted. As the apostle puts it: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Gal. 2:20).
The choice of this new life is ours in Christ. Shall we not choose it every day? Let us not forget the solemn words of Moses: "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live" (Deut. 30:19).
MEDITATION PRAYER: "Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word" (Ps. 119:17).
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