"Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the Law through the body of
Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised
from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God."1
We have died to the Law through the body of Christ, it is a picture of baptism. The "likewise" that Paul gives is an analogy of marriage; a wife is bound to the husband as long as the husband lives, thus we are bound to the Law, but through the body of Christ, his death, we have been released from the Law and bound to Christ. For what purpose?
"For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death."2
The mind of the flesh is at enmity towards God, and will not subject to the laws of God. The Law was spiritual, holy, but we are weak in sinful body. "But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code."3
In the body of Christ we are united in his death, released from the Law, under grace, so that in our weakness, His Grace is Sufficient for us as His power is being perfected in us. Such is a total reliance on God, not by my own works, nor obedience to rules and regulations.
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life."4
God asked me three times if I would die for him, I said yes. I was baptized when I gave my life to Christ, but something kept saying that I needed to die, and I would feel like I needed to be baptized again. I rededicated my life again in baptism, but now I know what God had been asking from me. I did not understand baptism, thus what benefit did I receive in baptism? There are three that agree; water, blood, and Spirit, the greatest testimony being the Spirit and there is power in each.
"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."5
Teachings of repentance, lordship, authority, surrendering... while there is some truth to each they have failed me in this understanding. I enter into His death by entering into his rest, "justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. For apart from the law, sin lies dead."6 I have access into this Grace in which I stand by faith.
"we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God."7
In his death I am justified, made righteous, approved by God, I have boldness to approach the throne of Grace... and in faith I am raised into this newness of life, freedom in Christ, this hope, the Spirit of God bringing life to my mortal body. I find rest for my soul, the living water, his blood, the bread from heaven, his flesh given for me, food for the soul.
"whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”8
The seed must die to bear fruit, in the "likeness " of his death, his flesh. "Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."9 He who takes in likeness of his death, his flesh, a living sacrifice, also participate in likeness of his life, springs of water welling up to eternal life, everlasting.
"Come, everyone who is thirsty, come to the waters! Also, you that have no money, come, buy, and eat!"10
Then Sings My Soul
We have died to the Law through the body of Christ, it is a picture of baptism. The "likewise" that Paul gives is an analogy of marriage; a wife is bound to the husband as long as the husband lives, thus we are bound to the Law, but through the body of Christ, his death, we have been released from the Law and bound to Christ. For what purpose?
"For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death."2
The mind of the flesh is at enmity towards God, and will not subject to the laws of God. The Law was spiritual, holy, but we are weak in sinful body. "But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code."3
In the body of Christ we are united in his death, released from the Law, under grace, so that in our weakness, His Grace is Sufficient for us as His power is being perfected in us. Such is a total reliance on God, not by my own works, nor obedience to rules and regulations.
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life."4
God asked me three times if I would die for him, I said yes. I was baptized when I gave my life to Christ, but something kept saying that I needed to die, and I would feel like I needed to be baptized again. I rededicated my life again in baptism, but now I know what God had been asking from me. I did not understand baptism, thus what benefit did I receive in baptism? There are three that agree; water, blood, and Spirit, the greatest testimony being the Spirit and there is power in each.
"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."5
Teachings of repentance, lordship, authority, surrendering... while there is some truth to each they have failed me in this understanding. I enter into His death by entering into his rest, "justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. For apart from the law, sin lies dead."6 I have access into this Grace in which I stand by faith.
"we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God."7
In his death I am justified, made righteous, approved by God, I have boldness to approach the throne of Grace... and in faith I am raised into this newness of life, freedom in Christ, this hope, the Spirit of God bringing life to my mortal body. I find rest for my soul, the living water, his blood, the bread from heaven, his flesh given for me, food for the soul.
"whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”8
The seed must die to bear fruit, in the "likeness " of his death, his flesh. "Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."9 He who takes in likeness of his death, his flesh, a living sacrifice, also participate in likeness of his life, springs of water welling up to eternal life, everlasting.
"Come, everyone who is thirsty, come to the waters! Also, you that have no money, come, buy, and eat!"10
Then Sings My Soul