April 9, 2023

For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection. Romans 6:5

It is one thing to say, preach, or even actually believe that Jesus rose from the dead. But it is quite another, by divine grace, to internalize the truth of His purpose and intention: that His victory over sin and death can become ours. His followers are to be united together in the likeness of His death. But what does that mean? Develop an awareness of the word if in Scripture, for it denotes a choice; a decision to make. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death…

Once the disciples muddled their way through the shock of Jesus’ arrest and horrific death—and soon after the incredible joy that He was alive again (clearly another shock!), they fearlessly spent the remainder of their earthly lives sharing that truth with the world. A dramatic turnaround took place in each of their lives, leading to a total transformation of their characters. This is the work of the Holy Spirit of God! I must ask myself if I am personally willing to submit to a total character transformation that is laid out in His word. Truly, am I? If so, then certainly [I] also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection.

If I am to partake of this supernatural victory, I will voluntarily step onto a path of unreserved surrender to Him who made me and faced death on my behalf and on the behalf of all mankind. The victory is not a natural one. It requires the supernatural power of divine grace, available for each moment of every day. Paul gave a brief, comprehensive summary of how this transforming power takes root in my thinking, provided I accept it as the integral, essential element of new life in Christ:

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. Romans 6:8-13

HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY, BELOVED!