Word@Work Romans50 - Romans 6:3-4
Published: Tue, 10/25/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
BAPTISM TELLS OUR NEW STORY
Romans 6:3-4 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? 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. (NIV)
Some people see baptism as a nice ceremony, a welcome into the church. It is, but far more than that. The immersion-baptism of the New Testament tells a story: to the new believer, the church, God and the devil. In the Bible, water is not only a picture of life, but also of death, separation and judgement (the flood, the Red Sea crossing, Jonah). The water of baptism is a symbol of a grave in which we identify with Jesus Christ in His death.
Going under the water says that we deserved His death and admit that He died instead of us. Under the water, we identify with His burial and declare all our sins buried (Micah 7:19); and coming out of the water we declare that as Jesus was raised from the dead, He gives us a new life. 2 Corinthians 5:15 puts it like this: "And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." So, selfish living is totally inconsistent with believing in Jesus Christ as Lord.
Yet the habits of our old life drag us back; the traditions of our family and culture hold us back and the devil wants to deprive us of confidence to shake off the shackles of our dead lifestyle. So we need the reminder of our baptism (if you have not been baptised, why not?). It expresses the truth of 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" The challenge is to live that way! Disobedience is out and obedience is in ... but we have to want it and work at it with Him. God will help us but we are accountable for doing it. Is it a struggle? Yes! But is it worth it? When we meet Jesus Christ we will know that the answer is, certainly, 'Yes'!
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father. Thank You for giving us baptism as a picture of being united with Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. I am sorry for the times when I have lived as though I have the right to do whatever I want, and I forget that I belong to You. Please help me to remember the meaning of my baptism and to live a new life in the strength which You provide each day. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Some people see baptism as a nice ceremony, a welcome into the church. It is, but far more than that. The immersion-baptism of the New Testament tells a story: to the new believer, the church, God and the devil. In the Bible, water is not only a picture of life, but also of death, separation and judgement (the flood, the Red Sea crossing, Jonah). The water of baptism is a symbol of a grave in which we identify with Jesus Christ in His death.
Going under the water says that we deserved His death and admit that He died instead of us. Under the water, we identify with His burial and declare all our sins buried (Micah 7:19); and coming out of the water we declare that as Jesus was raised from the dead, He gives us a new life. 2 Corinthians 5:15 puts it like this: "And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." So, selfish living is totally inconsistent with believing in Jesus Christ as Lord.
Yet the habits of our old life drag us back; the traditions of our family and culture hold us back and the devil wants to deprive us of confidence to shake off the shackles of our dead lifestyle. So we need the reminder of our baptism (if you have not been baptised, why not?). It expresses the truth of 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" The challenge is to live that way! Disobedience is out and obedience is in ... but we have to want it and work at it with Him. God will help us but we are accountable for doing it. Is it a struggle? Yes! But is it worth it? When we meet Jesus Christ we will know that the answer is, certainly, 'Yes'!
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father. Thank You for giving us baptism as a picture of being united with Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. I am sorry for the times when I have lived as though I have the right to do whatever I want, and I forget that I belong to You. Please help me to remember the meaning of my baptism and to live a new life in the strength which You provide each day. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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