Romans 6- Died With Christ?

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Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:8-11

What does it mean to be a Christian? Many people confess to be Christians, but do they live for Christ? Has their conversion to Christianity produced any noticeable change in their life? Does their neighbors , co-workers, or even family members, do they even know they are a Christian? This is why practices like infant baptism and “the sinners prayer” concern me, are we just producing false converts that have had no real transformation at all?

The Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, says “Now if we are dead in Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him”  Have you died with Christ? You might ask what does that mean? Have you truly repented of your sins? (Mark 1:15, Luke 13:3) Have you turned away from your ways and turned to Jesus? Has your old self been crucified with Christ on the cross? Do you carry your cross daily? (Luke 9:23) And since our old self died with Christ, our new self has been risen with Christ! (2 Timothy 2:11) Is Jesus really your Lord? Or are you still a slave to sin?

We have been set free from sin and death by Christ (John 8) As Paul states here “Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead, dies no more, death has no more dominion over him” This is why In Christ we have victory! But we must have truly died and been raised by Him! Many people like the idea of eternal life, who wouldn’t, but most people don’t like the idea of dying to self, turning away from sin, serving The Lord. As Paul also states “Being Conformed To Him (Christ) In His Death (Philippians 3:10)

The Life He (Christ) Lives, He lives to God (v10) Do you live for God? Who is the Master of your life? As Jesus said “Nobody can serve Two Masters” (Matthew 6:24) The false convert says “Well I like Jesus and this and that” but The Lord said Nobody can have two masters, so who is your Master? Who do you serve? Where do you spend most of your time and money? You say “Well I go to Church on Sundays” that’s good, what about the other 6 days? Do you live for Christ?

The Apostle Paul states “Reckon yourself dead to sin, but alive to God through Christ Jesus our Lord” Your only life source is Jesus Christ, otherwise your already dead. Doesn’t this create any reverance in your heart? Doesn’t this reveal anything to you? So I’ll end with the same question, do you die with Christ? If so, are you living for Christ? Amen!

Romans 6- Raised With Christ

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For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Romans 6:5-7

The Apostle Paul continues to teach us what the “New Life in Christ” looks like for Born Again believers. Remember we are buried in Christ death and raised with Christ to walk in the newness of life. Paul continues “For if we have been planted or united together in the likeness of his death” As Paul also says “I have been crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20) When Christ died on the cross for your sins, He took your place, You as a Christian were crucified with Christ. 

As our old self was crucified with Christ, “we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection” Our new self is raised with Christ, we are Born Again in Jesus. As Paul also states “You are a New Creation in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:7) This is what baptism symbolizes, the death of our old self and the resurrection of our new self. We are Born Again in Christ (John 3:3)

So knowing “our old man is crucified with Him (Christ)” this means you are no longer a slave to sin. As Jesus said “If the Son Sets You Free, You are Free Indeed” (John 8:36) We are no longer living in the same sins as a New Creation in Christ, as Paul also states here “we should not serve sin” You are no longer chained to these old sins, you have been set free by The Lord Jesus Christ, you are no longer a slave to sin but to Christ

As The Lord Jesus said “Everyone who sins, is a slave to sin” (John 8:34) The religious leaders told Jesus they were not a slave to anyone, however they were mistaken, everyone is either a slave to sin or a slave to Christ. There is no other option, but in Christ there is freedom and grace. While many feel they are free to live in their sins, its actually destroying their bodies and souls. They are servants of wickedness, liked a dog going back to his vomit (Proverbs 26:11)

For He that is dead is freed from sin (v7) Through the death of your old self, you have been freed in Christ. As the Apostle Paul also says “If we died with Him, We will also live with Him” (2 Timothy 2:11) So I ask you this question, have you been crucified with Christ? Are you still a slave to sin or a servant of Christ? In Jesus we have been set free, raised to walk in the newness of life, be led and filled with the Holy Spirit, Amen!

Romans 6- Baptized in Christ Part 2

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What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:1-4

Today we are going to continue in Pauls teaching about the meaning of Baptism, if you missed the first part here is the link. Now we are going to dive into why baptism is important and what does it mean for us as Christians. First we went over, baptism is a command by Christ (Matthew 28:19) and Christ was baptized for our example (Matthew 3:13-17) So if Jesus is our Lord (Master) then we are to obey him and get baptized in the Church

So what does Baptism mean? Well lets see what the Apostle Paul teaches us, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. “Many of us were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death” So first is the acknowledgement that you are a sinner and Christ died for your sins. As the Apostle Peter states “Repent and be baptized” (Acts 2:38) Repentance is a part of baptism. So the symbol of you being lowered into the water, is a symbol of your old self dying and being buried with Christ 

As the Apostle Paul states “having been buried with Him in baptism” (Colossians 2:12) When you are in Christ, your old self died with Christ. Jesus paid it all for your sins on the cross (Colossians 2:13-14) This is a public profession of your faith, that you have died with Christ and are a New Creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)

And then you are raised with Christ, as Paul states “just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father” So the symbol of you being raised out of the water during baptism, is symbolic of your new self being raised with Christ from death. As Paul also states “You were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God” (Colossians 2:12)

This is essentially the gospel message being performed , the death, burial , and resurrection of Christ for your salvation. But there is also one last part, as Paul states here “we should also walk in the newness of life” What is this newness of life, its becoming Born Again in Christ (John 3:3) As the Apostle Peter stated “You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) Now some argue when does this happen? This is known as Baptismal Regeneration. 

I’ll just end with the words of the Apostle Paul “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:27) Amen!