If we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. [6] 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. [7] For one who has died has been set free from sin. — Romans 6:5-7 (ESV)
The preceding verses told us how baptism represents death and then being resurrected to new life. Paul extends his thoughts here on the topics of our death, resurrection, and victory over sin. He tells us that if we identify ourselves with Jesus by committing our lives to follow Him and through baptism, we identify ourselves with His death on the cross for us. Just as Jesus didn’t stay dead, we also are resurrected into a new life that is better than the previous life. Jesus’ resurrected life is one that restored His original glory, and restored His position at the right hand of the Father. This uniting with him in a resurrection life is an ongoing activity, taking place in our lifetimes on earth and yet not fully complete until we are united with Jesus in heaven. That means that even now we should be experiencing a more heavenly life, which includes a greater heavenly perspective, a greater power coming from the Throne Room of God, and a greater glory being revealed in and through us.
This idea of dying — of being crucified — is important to realizing our victory over sin. But how does it work? Paul indicates that when we died, the power of sin in our lives was broken. That is true theologically, but what are we to do with this practically? Is this something that in principle should have already helped those of us who follow Jesus, or does it give us some clues to actually seeing victory over sin? First of all, it is helpful for me to realize that while I am in the same body and therefore appear the same, appearances can be deceptive! That is, while I look the same, in reality (in the truest sense of the word) I am not the same — though the devil wants to encourage me in believing that I am still the same old self. What if I answered the devil and told him that I am now my resurrected self and am set free from sin, no longer caught in the pattern I was before? What if I reminded the devil that the person he is seeking is now dead?!
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Third, maybe we ought to be telling the devil that we totally belong to Jesus, and that if he wants us to sin, maybe he should go and ask Jesus for permission, since we’re not going to ask Jesus for permission to sin. See if Jesus says yes to the devil! We need to forget who we were, and remember who we are!
Originally posted August 18, 2010