Alive to God

God Instructs the People of God

God's People Learn from Prosperity:

God Reacts to Disobedience

Romans 6:1-11

The Message

When Death Becomes Life

 ^1-3So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not! If we've left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there? Or didn't you realize we packed up and left there for good? That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace—a new life in a new land! ^3-5That's what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus. Each of us is raised into a light-filled world by our Father so that we can see where we're going in our new grace-sovereign country.
 ^6-11Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life—no longer at sin's every beck and call! What we believe is this: If we get included in Christ's sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection. We know that when Jesus was raised from the dead it was a signal of the end of death-as-the-end. Never again will death have the last word. When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, but alive he brings God down to us. From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That's what Jesus did.

For Reflection
God directed the Israelites as a witness to His power and mercy.  Time after time their sinning drove them away from God.  Time after time God came to their rescue.

Sin is still punishable.  Christ died for our sins.  Christ, the advocate, lives for us.  We have a new life in grace.  If we falter there may be consequences.  But, through repentance and the grace of God we are forgiven.  It is not cart blanch for sinning. Rather, it a recognition of the promise of holy salvation.

Pray
prayers of confession knowing that your sins will be forgiven.  Pray prayers of thanksgiving for holy mercy in God's grace.  Pray for the wisdom and courage to follow God's way.