Dead With Christ, We Live With Him

When we receive Jesus as our Lord and Saviour by faith (Eph 2:8), we are identified with Him in His death on the cross (Gal 2:20). As Jesus was buried, our physical bodies will also be buried and “return unto the ground“ (Gen 3:19), when we die. Since Jesus “rose from the dead” (1 Cor 15:12), “we believe that we shall also live with Him.” Because sometime in the future, He shall raise “us up together” (Eph 2:6), to meet Him “in the air” (1 Thes 4:17), at the rapture (1 Cor 15:52)! It is important for all who made professions of their faith in Jesus (Rom 10:9), to follow Him in water baptism (Col 2:12). It neither saves nor cleanses us from sin (1 Jn 1:7), but it identifies us with the likeness of His death, burial, and “the likeness of His resurrection” (v. 5).

 Although we are still physically alive, we are new creatures “in Christ” (2 Cor 5:17). We are “born again” (Jn 3:7), into the family of God and are spiritually raised from the deadness of sin (v. 11), to “walk in newness of life” (v. 4). Through “the power of His resurrection” (Php 3:10), we can partake of Christ’s life on earth; by experiencing an abundant Christian life (Jn 10:10)! Just as death has no more dominion over our Saviour (v. 9), so do all believers have victory over the penalty of sin (Mt 25:46). We all experience varying circumstances in life (Jms 1:2).

 Some may have tried repeatedly to live for God but failed miserably (Prov 24:16). This should never be a source of discouragement. Because failure is not really the opposite of success, but a part of it! God uses the infirmities and adversities of life to strengthen us (2 Cor 12:10), and for us to learn His commands (Ps 119:71). We may be “persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor 4:9). Never fear (Isa 41:10), there is victory in Jesus (1 Cor 15:57)! God bless you!

- Pastor Melito Barrera