Romans 6:3-4 “Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” (NASB)
This section of scripture follows Paul’s narrative where he debates whether to continue in sin because more sin liberates more grace. Paul argues that we should not behave in that way. Next he writes this section in support of good behavior by reminding us of the transforming work already done in us as believers.
First he refers to baptism into Christ Jesus. By the phrase, “All of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus” he means those who have believed by faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ in their lives. This is not a reference to the water baptism of John or the believer’s baptism we are called to by obedience. This baptism is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit upon conversion. John the Baptist is quoted in the gospel accounts, "I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." Mark 1:8
Paul writes this to identify the believer with Christ. Why is that significant? Being identified with the death of Christ is what saves us from our sin. Christ died in our place. But Paul goes on to say not only are we identified with His death we are also identified with His burial. So we believers are linked to His death and His burial. Having been linked to them we are in a position to be tied to the third aspect of Him which is His resurrection. Believers are linked to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The passage says, “So that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life”. We who believed are linked to Christ raised from the dead. That means our old life is passed away and our new life in Christ is now ours. In other words, those who believe in Christ aren’t waiting for eternal life; we have it!
So as those identified with Christ through all He has done for us and possessors of eternal life now, we should live in accordance with this new identification.
We’ve seen folks with the WWJD bracelet that refers to What Would Jesus Do. That’s actually the thought we should have throughout each and every day as we, “Walk in newness of life”. We shouldn’t be asking whether sinful behavior is okay since our fire insurance policy is paid up. Paul writes in Ephesians, “And put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” Ephesians 4:24 We are believers in Christ identified for eternity with Him so let us do as He would do. AMEN!
