January 13, 2002
Series: Romans Chapter 6
“ALIVE
TO GOD IN CHRIST”
Romans 6:8-11
Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that
we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the
dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin,
once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to
sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
In Romans 6:7 Paul asserts that those who have died in Christ are free from sin. Now, logically speaking, “If we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.” The link with the Lord Jesus Christ wasn’t broken in death. We died on the cross with Him and were placed in the tomb with Him in God’s sight. Now Paul states in verse 8 we believe just as strongly that we shall live together with Him.
He now appeals to our knowledge when he writes, “Knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again.” Consequently we believers KNOW that Christ shall never die again and, as a result, death no longer is master over Him. Death can no longer take possession over our risen Savior.
Verse 10 gives us the reason, “For the death that He died, He died to sin, once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.” When Christ died on the cross, He died to sin once for all. Please get this: Christ died for sin and He died to sin. He died for its penalty and He died to its influence.
Note the new thrust of His existence: “The life He lives, He lives to God.” God the Father is now the object of His life. His directives are all to God the Father. His connection and influence by sinful men is over.
How does this affect you and me? Because of our link with Christ in His death and resurrection, we are to consider (count as a fact) ourselves to have died to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. This world and its influences should no longer have any affect upon believers. Our life is now, as Christ’s, directed to God the Father through the power of His Holy Spirit. WOW!
This should affect the way we face each day of our lives, our relation to believers and unbelievers alike. God bless each one of you.
Love
to you all,