“What shall we say [to all this]? Should we continue in sin and practice sin as a habit so that [God’s gift of] grace may increase and overflow? 2Certainly not! How can we, the very ones who died to sin, continue to live in it any longer? 3Or are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4We have therefore been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory and power of the Father, we too might walk habitually in newness of life [abandoning our old ways]. 5For if we have become one with Him [permanently united] in the likeness of His death, we will also certainly be [one with Him and share fully] in the likeness of His resurrection.” 

Romans 6:1-5 AMP

Today we celebrate the glorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are reminded that once and for all, the sin of mankind has been atoned for and the gift of new life has been bestowed upon those who have received of His grace and mercy. So why is the resurrection of Christ so important if it was His shed blood that cleansed us of our sin? Let’s take a quick look! The book of Romans tells us that,

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God [that is, His remarkable, overwhelming gift of grace to believers] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”

Romans 6:23 AMP

If in fact the penalty of sin is death, if God did not accept the sacrifice of Christ then He would still be in the tomb! But, the book of Hebrews tells us,

“Every priest stands [at his altar of service] ministering daily, offering the same sacrifices over and over, which are never able [b]to strip away sins [that envelop and cover us]; 12whereas Christ, having offered the one sacrifice [the all-sufficient sacrifice of Himself] for sins for all time, SAT DOWN [signifying the completion of atonement for sin] AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD [the position of honor],”

Hebrews 10:11-12 AMP

You see, the penalty of sin has been paid! When we celebrate communion, we are not re-sacrificing Christ again but rather “remembering” the terrible price He paid for our freedom. Hence, if He took my sin upon Himself, it was as though I was hanging on the cross that day paying the price for my sin! Now we can better understand our verse today! Should we continue in sin? The answer is no of course for we were crucified “with” Christ that day so we in essence have died to our old life of sin. The verse goes on to say that those of us who have entered the waters of baptism have “entered into His burial.” Just as we should have suffered on the cross that day, we should then have been died in fulfilment of the verse in Romans, “the wage of sin is death!” But wait! Not only did He atone for our sin, but He now has also restored our original position of Holy and pure before Him by restoring our eternal life as originally created!

The act of baptism is clearly a choice we make when we decided to accept the sacrifice of Christ for our sin. This is why we believe that one must decide to receive forgiveness, not have it imputed to themselves as a baby. Each of us will one day answer the question before the throne of grace, “What did you decide about my Son?” We will not be judged by our actions, giving, prayers, or works we have done for God, but rather how we responded to the message of Grace and love!

This Easter, as you celebrate the gift of new life Christ has given you, remember that it is by grace that you are saved lest any of us should boast in our own self-righteousness and that while we celebrate new life, we must surrender the old one in death to receive it!

Power Prayer for Promise – New Life

Father, thank you that for the joy set before You, You endured the cross on behalf of my sin. (Hebrews 12:2) I choose today to walk in Your way because for those who are in Christ, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17) and I will buffet my body and make it my servant. (1 Corinthians 9:27) and I will shout for joy unto the nations and rejoice of Your bounty in my life.(Jerimiah 31:12) Thank you for a new and living way opened for me through Your sacrifice so I can come boldy to the throne of grace in my time of need (Hebrews 10:19-20) and I will never forget Your precepts, for by them you will preserve my life! (Psalms 119:93) 

In Jesus name…Amen