We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 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 6:2-4
One of Jesus’ instructions for new believers is to be baptized (Matthew 28:19). This ordinance of the church is more than ceremonial. Baptism is an outward expression of a new spiritual reality for the believer. Baptism depicts how the believer is joined with Jesus in death, burial, and resurrection. When we believe in Jesus, we are changed, born again, and brought into union with Jesus where our sins become forgiven, we are declared right with God, and we bear the righteousness of Jesus as belonging to him.
In our union with Jesus, we have died. Died to what? We have died to sin. Sin is resisting God’s claim on our lives to become ever more like Jesus. Have you surrendered to Jesus’ claim on your life? Are you progressively becoming more like Jesus? In our understanding of Christ’s work of redemption, there is no separation between our provision for salvation and our provision for sanctification. God intends to be Lord of every person he saves. In the darkness of our rebellion, we have imagined that we can be saved from the penalty of our sins, and still “live in it.” God saved you from sin, now dear friend, leave it behind. Ask God for his help and turn your back to that old bondage and walk toward Jesus and never take your eyes off of him.
