DEATH ALWAYS BEFORE RESURRECTION
Susan Murray
Today’s Scripture: "For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.... So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Romans 6:5,11, ESV
Theme: United with Jesus, we are now dead to sin and alive with Him.
PAST TENSE
“We have been united with Christ.” Note that this is in the past tense because Jesus has already died; His death is our death, and His life is our life now. This is our present position before God. It is a done deal that cannot be taken away. We are saved from God’s just wrath for our sins because Jesus lived the perfect life in our place and took our condemnation in our place. We are now a pleasant aroma to God in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:15). This is true of every believer TODAY.
YET CONSIDER
Yet we know that each day we continue to sin in some manner (I John 1:8). What then? We are to consider ourselves dead to sin. What does that mean? Consider means to think, ponder, weigh something or someone usually toward an action or decision. For example, I considered the commute time and pay before deciding to accept a job offer. We are to consider the beauty and glory of Christ because of what He did for us (death on the cross) until it makes us joyful, giving us a heart that longs to not sin but to obey, becoming actively more of what we already are (dead to sin). Only that joy can satisfy the heart until the allure of sin is dead. It’s not a one and done deal. It is a daily dying, and it is hard because our worldly, sinful self is still in us and fights with our clean new self (Galatians 5:16-17,24). Dying is not easy, but with God all things are possible.
Take gossip as an example. I want to share or listen to something negative about another person. I know I shouldn’t, but the temptation provides a promise of satisfaction that will soothe my sense of feeling less-than. So I give in. The satisfaction feels pleasurable, giving me a momentary sense of superiority that boosts my pride and sense of self-worth. “What dainty morsels rumors are. They are eaten with great relish!" (Proverbs 18:8, TLB). How do I die to myself? How do I die to gossip? Just try my best and try harder to not gossip? No. Consider, look at, ponder, and meditate on the beauty and glory of Jesus dying for all my negatives. Choosing not to gossip initially feels like a death, but if I continue taking time to look at the glory of Christ, my heart will be satisfied with His love for me. I have the Holy Spirit’s power to not gossip.
PROMISE
The promise of resurrection to new life is partially now and fully in eternity. This promise of future resurrection encourages me to die in the present. Jesus Himself looked to the future to go through death. “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2 NIV). Dying to sin is now always followed by resurrection. Jesus rose and so will you. Cling to Him.
Make It Personal: Honestly, how much time are you spending with Jesus reading His Word and talking to Him in prayer? Do you meditate on His glory?
“And we all, who … contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18, NIV).
Pray: Father, I come to You and acknowledge I have no power to die to self and sin. Help me to see the beauty and glory of Jesus’ death and resurrection done for me till my heart is fully satisfied in Him so I can die to myself and live in Him.
Read: Romans 6:1-14
Weekly Memory Verse: “But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.” Romans 2:29, ESV