Dying with Christ

Jesus died—that’s a straightforward truth we confess in the Apostles’ Creed.

But we should linger on it for a while, because God wanted exactly this: a death. And because of it, God now urges all people: Be united to Christ!

As we read in the letter to the Hebrews: Jesus suffered death, “so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone” (2:9). He endured death, so that everyone who is joined to Christ by faith can live forever.

Jesus’s few hours on the cross—as He suffered eternal death—have brought us great blessing. Now believers are freed from the hell that is the payment for our sins. Now we are freed from the death that never ends.

And what does this mean for today? This means that we should no longer have anything to do with our old way of life! Sin and wickedness belong to the years B.C. (Before Christ). Disobedience is the lifestyle that has gone out of fashion for all who believe in his Name.

There’s no reason to remain in our sinful ways and sinful habits, for Christ has freed us from it! There’s nothing there for us: nothing worthwhile and lasting in a life without the true God, in a life that is focused only on yourself.

Believing in Christ, we can crucify, put to death, and bury whatever belongs to our life apart from God. By his wondrous power we are able to leave behind human guilt and the sinner’s misery!

The Biblical gospel is this simple and this profound: In Christ’s death is our death, and in his death is our new life. 

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Scripture Reading: Romans 6:1-14

Prayer: Merciful Father, I praise you for Christ’s death. By his dying, sinners may live again. Enable me to embrace the life of being your child, fleeing sin and loving holiness. Amen.