"If indeed, united we have become in the likeness of His death, yet also of the resurrection we will be."1
We that have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death.2 We were united with Him, in His death, "we were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."2
To be united with Him in the resurrection is to be united First with him in death.4 Is not this the cross we must first take up? The old man was crucified with Him on the cross, as Jesus died and condemned sin in the flesh, in His death, we are to reckon sin dead in the flesh. "This knowing that the old self was crucified with Him that might be annulled the body of sin that we are no longer enslaved to sin."5
This word for annulled is katargéō (from katá, "down to a point, from a higher to a lower plane" intensifying argéō, "motionless, at rest, idle") – properly, idle down, rendering something inert. From a higher to a lower plane Jesus came to condemn sin in the flesh, to render it inert in our flesh. As we die with Him, through Faith, we are raised with Him into Life. By such sin has no dominion over us. Of course the seed must at first die to bear the fruit of life. We are raised into the heavenlies with Christ Jesus, this is my spirit united in Christ.
Call It Grace
We that have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death.2 We were united with Him, in His death, "we were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."2
To be united with Him in the resurrection is to be united First with him in death.4 Is not this the cross we must first take up? The old man was crucified with Him on the cross, as Jesus died and condemned sin in the flesh, in His death, we are to reckon sin dead in the flesh. "This knowing that the old self was crucified with Him that might be annulled the body of sin that we are no longer enslaved to sin."5
"Now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life."6
Now, we concentrate so much on the sin, one must turn from sin, etc... and in doing so do we then teach and boast in fleshly ability? such to overcome sin, no, no, this is not truth, but a return to the Law. The power to overcome the flesh is not in ourselves nor in the obedience to the Law, no, "For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace."7 How do we have dominion over sin? we have sayings like surrender to Jesus, bow at the cross, come to the altar, etc... but do not they all mean the same thing, that I must die?
Paul writes, we are baptized into His death in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we might no longer be enslaved to sin. "For one who has died has been set free from sin."8 Again we see the pendulum swing, on one extreme "I was baptized as a baby" and on the other side "Jesus commands us to." The teaching and thus the understanding of such, to be baptized into His death and raised into His Life, is altogether removed.
How can I be united in His life if I do not at first die? If statistically many in the church have not died to sin then this invites the question of, why?10 Have we possibly removed teaching that would give dominion over sin? Let us seek the glory of God whereby we are united in truth and doctrine, as to empower others to rule over evil, United in Christ, in His likeness; in His death and in Resurrection. "Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him."11
Paul writes, we are baptized into His death in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we might no longer be enslaved to sin. "For one who has died has been set free from sin."8 Again we see the pendulum swing, on one extreme "I was baptized as a baby" and on the other side "Jesus commands us to." The teaching and thus the understanding of such, to be baptized into His death and raised into His Life, is altogether removed.
"Present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God."9
How can I be united in His life if I do not at first die? If statistically many in the church have not died to sin then this invites the question of, why?10 Have we possibly removed teaching that would give dominion over sin? Let us seek the glory of God whereby we are united in truth and doctrine, as to empower others to rule over evil, United in Christ, in His likeness; in His death and in Resurrection. "Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him."11