We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4 NIV
Baptism is symbolic of death and rebirth. Paul writes in the previous scripture in Romans 6:3, “Or don’t you know that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? WEB” Notice Paul’s language. The apostle writes of baptism “into Christ.” In this, we share in Jesus’ death, dying to sin and the flesh while experiencing spiritual rebirth in Christ. We experience a new life, eternal and spiritual. In this life, God credits our faith in Christ as righteousness as we live in him and he in us.
The main theme of this portion of Paul’s letter to the Romans is death to sin. As Christ died for our sins, upon repentance, we too die to the flesh. However, some early church members wondered if God’s grace and forgiveness indicated that we could continue in sin to magnify God’s grace. Paul rejects this line of thinking. He writes in Romans 6:1-2, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? May it never be! We who died to sin, how could we live in it any longer? WEB”
Mercy and Grace
Truly, the gospel message is a call to repentance with the promise of salvation from sin for those who accept the mercy and grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. God paid the price for our sins through the sacrifice of Christ. Our heavenly Father raised Jesus from the grave. A new life begins for those who accept Christ as Savior. Baptized into his death, we receive the hope of eternal life in heaven by the evidence of Jesus’ resurrection.
Accordingly, we no longer live in the flesh and for the flesh. Baptized into Christ’s death, we live in the spirit and for the spiritual kingdom of heaven. Buried with Christ, as Paul teaches, we are dead to sin. Ours is a new life. As Peter writes in 1 Peter 4:2, “that you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. WEB”
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for giving me a new life. Thank you for my salvation in Christ. Lead me away from temptation. Guide me with your word to do your will. In Jesus name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: One in Christ
