“A Whole New Way”
Baptism is a symbolic picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For a believer in Jesus Christ, being submerged under the water is to proclaim to the world that they have died to self and have been buried in Christ. Being raised from the water is then the proclamation that they have been raised with Christ into a brand-new resurrected life.
When Jesus died, he left behind His old earthly existence, and at the resurrection He took on a totally new and changed life, and it is this new, changed, and resurrected life that He is now giving to all who believe in Him.
his was the Apostle Paul’s point when he said, “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection.” (Romans 6:3-5)
When someone comes into the saving faith of Jesus Christ, God takes that faith and counts it as participating in Christ’s death. As such they have now died to sin, and therefore, they are freed from the penalty and judgment of sin. Sin, therefore, no longer has control over them, and ceases to have a place in their life.
With death to sin, a believer enters in and is identified with Christ’s resurrection where the old man of sin is put away and the new man of righteousness takes his place (Ephesians 4:22-24).
Therefore, as a believer in Jesus Christ, we no longer need to walk according to the dictates of sin, but rather we can walk in a newness of life, that is, a whole new way of living.
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 6:4 NIV
Dennis Lee is Senior Pastor at Living Waters Fellowship, Mesquite, Nevada. He presently has two books, “From Here to There: A Journey to Spiritual Transformation,” and “Wells of Living Waters,” He also writes a religious column for a local newspaper entitled, “Rediscover the Bible for Life,” along with daily devotionals and thoughts that he posts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Living Waters Fellowship’s Website
If we could only just remember His love for us is all encompassing, even when we think we are dismissing His presence, He is waiting! All we need do is accept and believe He is greater than our sin! Give it to Him. Thank you Pastor❤️
Thank you, I love what Paul said about the Christ’s love for us. “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” (Ephesians 3:17-18).
Take care and have a great rest of your day.
Thank you, I love what Paul said about the Christ’s love for us. “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” (Ephesians 3:17-18).
Take care and have a great rest of your day.
Amen! I am reminded of 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” As we walk in the newness of life that God has given us through Jesus, our lives will be transformed into His likeness more and more every day, which will reflect His love to others.
Thanks Debbie, As believers we no longer walk in the old way of life, but in a brand new way. Take Care and God bless
In the past month I’ve had the privilege of baptizing an 84 y/o terminally ill man and his 14 y/o son and then an 9 y/o and a 5 0 y/o man. I used tha Romans 6 scriptures that you used in your blog. The picture of death, burial and resurrection never gets old. I love the fact that regardless of age, there is new life when we emerge from the spiritual tomb of sin.
Amen!
Absolutely, and what a precious promise it is. Thanks,
I totally agree. Thanks for your devotion. Amen