As a Christian, you have left your old life as a slave to sin, and transitioned into your new life as a slave to righteousness. Baptism symbolizes that death and resurrection.
“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)
As believers, our sins have been forgiven, and it is our mission going forward to avoid those impulses. Because we remain in our human bodies, we are still subject to the temptation of the devil. Before becoming a Christian, we lived for those sinful desires, but now in our new life we live for Jesus.
“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.” Romans 6:11-12 (NIV)
Our human nature makes it impossible for us not to stumble into sin from time to time, but the grace of God provides us with the opportunity to seek forgiveness and avoid the death penalty previously imposed on our life. As Christians, we have been set free. Sin no longer has any power over our life.
“Thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” Romans 6:17-18 (NIV)
Praise be to God for the wonderful gift of salvation. Praise be to God for sending His Son to pay the price for our sin. Praise be to God for giving us the opportunity to leave our old life behind and be lifted out of the water into a new life with Jesus. Our eternal existence was cut short by the deception of the devil and now as believers we are guaranteed a place in eternity.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 (NIV)
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