Romans 6:3-4 Meditation

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Though the language might at first here seem confusing, we will do well to recognize the overall aim in these verses: walk in newness of life.  The apostle up to this point has focused much on the nature of life and death, how each of them are experienced in relation to one’s relationship with God through Christ.  We read that we inherit death through the man, Adam, but can be rescued to life through the grace giving God-man, Christ.  Questions are then raised as to the nature of this new freedom through this new life–namely, are we free to sin?  Further clarification is needed.  And so Paul takes the reader back to the point of salvation, reminding us that when we entered into life in Christ, we died to our sinful “Adam” nature. This baptism then, this symbolic burying of that old self, is to remind us that this nature must be left in the grave.  Our Lord Jesus, who purchased the church with his blood, then rose from the grave, paving the way for us also to be raised and share life with Him.  We can have great confidence that such was (or can be) accomplished in us as we are reminded of the mode through which it came: the glory of the Father.  There is nothing of greater purity and power than such, for it has overcome the great forces of evil that were working to keep Christ among the dead and then mightily put all things under His feet.  This great glory is at work for everyone with faith in the name of Christ!

How then could there be any other option considered but to walk in newness of life?  A new identity has been given and the old one has been discarded and buried.  The believer has been formed into the mold of Christ and so no longer fits that of Adam.  The clay that was once hardened against the Son has been broken off, and what remains fits only onto the wheel of the Creator and is malleable only by the same master Potter.  Walk as such and seek not to struggle against His strong and loving hands.

How blessed when
with this new life
we let our old self be.

Great glory works
for this new man
who is forever free.

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