Dying To Live

“What shall we say then? Are we to remain in sin so that grace may increase? Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Or do you not know that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may live a new life. For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be united in the likeness of his resurrection. We know that our old man was crucified with him so that the body of sin would no longer dominate us, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. (For someone who has died has been freed from sin.)” Romans 6:1-7 NET

It is profoundly remarkable that Paul draws a striking comparison between Abraham and us, elevating him as the father of our faith. Let’s confront the reality of Abraham’s situation: at the age of 100, he found himself in a position where his physical vitality was all but gone—his body was frail and weak, akin to that of a man who had lived a full life. Meanwhile, his wife Sarah, at 90, faced her own significant challenges; her body was also well past its ability to conceive. They were both living in a world where biological possibilities seemed to evaporate with the passage of time, leaving little hope for the fulfillment of God’s promise.

Yet, amidst these staggering challenges, there was one aspect that God deemed precious and essential: Abraham’s unwavering and tenacious belief in God, a radiant source of hope that defied the bleakness of their circumstances. This remarkable belief in God’s promises, despite facing an impossible reality, was not merely acknowledged—it was credited to Abraham as righteousness. This profound affirmation of faith did not go unnoticed; it was the catalyst that prompted God to intervene supernaturally, unleashing His power to bring forth the fulfillment of His promises in Abraham’s life.

In the grand narrative of faith, it becomes crystal clear that it was not Abraham’s own strength or capabilities that were at play; rather, it was God’s limitless and unyielding power to accomplish what He had promised. In this story, we find encouragement that true faith can transcend all human limitations, transforming what seems impossible into reality through divine intervention.

So then, if it is sin because of the law that produced grace, should we just keep on sinning to produce more grace? In mathematical terms, that would become a zero-sum equation; there would be no gain in it. How can we who were once dead to sin continue to practice it? In other words, how can a dead man continue to participate in sin if he is dead? Death frees us from sin and its effects. We have died to Christ, and we are raised with Him to new life by allowing Him to live in us to produce His life through us.

Should we really consider continuing to sin to generate more grace, especially given that sin originates from the law, which ultimately leads us to Christ and to the grace we receive? Paul gives us a resounding NO! Viewing this through a rational lens, it presents a zero-sum scenario where no genuine advantage is achieved. How can we, who have been made dead to sin through our belief in Jesus, persist in engaging in actions that once defined our lives? To put it plainly, how can a dead man continue to participate in sin if he is dead? Participating in behaviors that are contrary to their new identity.

Death is not merely a physical state; it signifies a profound liberation from the controlling power of sin and its detrimental effects on our lives. We have died with Christ through baptism, and by receiving His sacrifice, we are raised to a radically new life—one that is vibrant and filled with purpose. This new life empowers Christ to live within us, transforming our thoughts, actions, and motivations. By embracing this reality, we can truly reflect His nature and exhibit the grace He has bestowed upon us, thus living out our new identity in a meaningful and impactful way.

It is the glory of the Father that raises us from our deadened state, much like Jesus was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father to become active and powerfully alive in His resurrected life. It is the glory of the Father that is demonstrated through our new life in Christ; it is His love that compels us to pursue love, which is the essential quality of the Father’s uniqueness when it comes to relating to His creation.

Just as Abraham, who could offer nothing but his profound and unwavering belief, received the extraordinary promise of God, we too are called to acknowledge our spiritual condition as dead in Christ. This transformation occurs when we are united with Jesus in His sacrificial death, allowing us to partake in the profound power of His resurrection.

This essential truth illuminates the staggering reality that our old selves—burdened by sin, shame, and the weight of our past—were crucified with Jesus. As a result, the chains that once bound us and the stronghold of sin that dominated our lives have been decisively fractured. Sin no longer holds dominion over us; we are freed from its oppressive clutch, liberated to embrace a new existence defined not by our failures but by grace and redemptive love.

In this new life, we can boldly step forward, transformed and empowered by the Spirit of Christ, ready to fulfill our true purpose and reflect His glory. Embrace this life-altering reality and allow the transformative power of Christ’s resurrection to redefine your identity and guide your journey!

For like I said earlier, someone who has died is free from the power of sin, Paul makes this very clear in his narrative, There is much more to Paul’s thought than just being dead to sins power, we are free from the power of sin but also free to live in Christ, the reason for the sacrifice of Jesus was to purchase us from the one that holds the power of death within his grasp, and that is the evil one. You could say that the death of Jesus was a transaction between two parties in which Jesus paid the price to purchase mankind from their eternal destiny of death and destruction, to a new reality of life and redemption.

The reason Paul consistently regards Abraham as the father of our faith can be traced to a significant and revelatory moment found in Genesis 15. In this chapter, we witness a profound exchange in which Abraham, displaying a mix of faith and doubt, boldly confronts God and asks, “How can I be certain that you will keep your promise to me?” This question underscores a pivotal aspect of faith—seeking assurance from God about His intentions.

In response, God initiates a solemn covenant, instructing Abraham to prepare a variety of sacrificial animals: a three-year-old bull, a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old goat, a dove, and a pigeon. Abraham meticulously follows these instructions, sacrificing the larger animals and cutting the bull, heifer, and goat in half to create a pathway between the pieces. This ancient practice of covenant-making symbolizes a binding agreement, where both parties would typically walk between the severed halves, signifying that they agree to bear the consequences of breaking the covenant.

However, God intervenes dramatically by causing Abraham to fall into a deep sleep, thereby ensuring that the covenant’s implications rest solely on Him. In this sacred moment, God manifests as a firepot and a smoking torch, representing His holy presence and fire of judgment. With only God passing between the animal pieces, it indicates that He is assuming complete responsibility for the covenant.

In traditional covenant practices, both parties would declare, “May it be done to me as these animals if I fail to uphold my promise.” Yet, due to Abraham’s unconscious state, it becomes abundantly clear that God alone makes this vow. He solemnly declares, “May it be done to me as these animals if I do not keep my covenant,” and crucially adds, “May it be done to me as these animals if you do not uphold your side of this agreement.”

This moment encapsulates the depth of God’s commitment and love, foreshadowing the ultimate act of grace revealed through Jesus Christ. By willingly taking upon Himself the penalty for humanity’s inability to fulfill the demands of the covenant, God demonstrates unparalleled mercy. This sacrifice not only affirms His unwavering faithfulness but also offers redemption, showcasing a profound promise that despite our shortcomings, we can still partake in a relationship with Him. In this divine act, we see the intersection of justice and grace, revealing the heart of God’s covenantal love.

The only requirement that God asked of Abraham was to believe in His promises; this act of faith was Abraham’s sole responsibility in the covenant relationship. This belief was not just a mere sentiment; it was a profound trust in God’s character, and as a result, it was credited to Abraham as righteousness—a testament to the depth of his faith. Now, consider how much more we, living in the age of grace, can experience the abundant promises of God that have been powerfully established through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His sacrifice is the ultimate proof of God’s unwavering faithfulness. If we choose to believe, we can fully access these promises and witness His truth in our lives.

Stephen Barnett