What Difference Does Easter Make? - Pt. 6

 

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For zone who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:5-11 ESV).

 

The fourth result of the resurrection is that we now possess the power to live righteously. The Apostle Paul calls this “newness of life” (v. 4). In union with the risen Christ, there is new power for defeating sin and walking in righteousness. And the key text is our reading today; indeed, just about the whole chapter and the first part of chapter 7 are all about this. He writes, “Just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too walk in newness of life.” This is a right now benefit, not just later.

 

Springtime in Texas is always an interesting mix of the experience of beauty and the dread of storm. The wildflowers have already begun to bloom. Our roadsides and fields are full of bluebonnets, paintbrushes, and other beautiful flowers. However, we also contend with the possibility of extreme thunderstorms containing cells of hail, high winds, or tornadoes. In our part of the state we always welcome the rain, but the dangerous weather that usually accompanies it is unsettling at times.

 

Our spiritual journey is sometimes like that. Temptation to sin is always lurking at the edge of the beauty of our path. We still live in a fallen world without the perfection of the rule of Christ. However, Jesus has already begun the work of perfection in our lives. We are now empowered to resist these destructive temptations. Consider the resurrection as your “safe place” in the midst of the storm. The storm still comes, but it cannot harm us when we seek shelter in Him. This is what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote: “Do not present your members [that is, your tongue, your arms, your legs, your sexual organs, your eyes, your ears] to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life.” (v. 13). So, in union with the risen Christ, we have a new power for holiness and love.