Knowing this, since our old self was crucified with Christ, so that the body of sin is powerless, that we no longer are enslaved to sin.*
The word for knowing means "to know, come to know, recognize, understand" and speaks of personal experience. I believe this personal experience is the testimony of water, and in this, we see the importance of the teachings of baptism. How does one die to sin? First, you take away the power of sin. We were crucified with Christ so that the body of sin is powerless. This is a reason Christ came to destroy the works of the devil.* And we know it is by His works we have been saved. So how are the works of the devil destroyed? Christ condemned not the man, but sin in the flesh, taking away its power. How is sin rendered powerless? How are we no longer enslaved to sin? is it because we died? a seed must die before it bears fruit. So how does one die? or asked another way, how does one become a living sacrifice? If becoming a living sacrifice is our reasonable service, should we not know what it is?
Show Me Your Glory
The word for knowing means "to know, come to know, recognize, understand" and speaks of personal experience. I believe this personal experience is the testimony of water, and in this, we see the importance of the teachings of baptism. How does one die to sin? First, you take away the power of sin. We were crucified with Christ so that the body of sin is powerless. This is a reason Christ came to destroy the works of the devil.* And we know it is by His works we have been saved. So how are the works of the devil destroyed? Christ condemned not the man, but sin in the flesh, taking away its power. How is sin rendered powerless? How are we no longer enslaved to sin? is it because we died? a seed must die before it bears fruit. So how does one die? or asked another way, how does one become a living sacrifice? If becoming a living sacrifice is our reasonable service, should we not know what it is?
Are you not understanding, that in as much baptized to the extent of Christ Jesus, baptized to the extent of His death?*
For a time exists when they will not endure healthy teaching, but according to their desires raise up for themselves teachers tickling ears.*
We do not die, but sinful nature is put to death, rendered powerless, the old self is crucified with Christ. What is our part? to be a living sacrifice, which is to enter into the work of God, to allow the word of God to accomplish this task in us, or to look intently into the truth, existing not a forgetful hearer but a doer. Do you understand this? if you were baptized in Christ, you were baptized into His death, you were crucified with Him, you participated in His death. Key is the teachings of baptism in overcoming the body of sin. What shall we say then, continue in sin so that grace abounds? Never, how does one who died to sin still live in it? either knowing that those baptized into Christ are baptized into His death?* In understanding the teachings of baptism, we see "knowing the truth" at work in ruling over sin, which is accomplished under grace.
Therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ arose from the dead through the glory of the Father, in this way also we walk in newness of Life.*
How is the glory of God accomplished in us? so that "also we walk in newness of Life." So when we sing "show me your glory" what are we asking? We are asking to walk in newness of Life but how is this accomplished? "buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ arose from the dead through the glory of the Father, in this way also we walk in newness of Life."* The glory of God is in our transformation. We also call this our glorification, as we are being transformed from glory to glory. "And we all, unveiled faces, beholding a mirror, the glory of the Lord, transformed the same image from glory into glory, even as from Lord's Spirit."* Being transformed from glory to glory is to become like Christ in the fullness of His stature. It is to become mature. And in the same way, Christ was glorified, we also participate in His glory, in His death, also in His resurrection.
For if becoming united with Him, the likeness of His death existing, still more existing the resurrection.*
Jesus said, "I exist the resurrection and the Life. The one believing in me, even though dying, lives, and all who live and believe in me never dies, do you believe this?"* How do we have resurrection Life? how is the glory of God accomplished in us? This word for united also means planted together, grown together. The parable of sowing gives us this process of planting and growing. John gives us three stages; a child, young person, and the mature. I believe the main purpose of the Church is that we become mature or we are built up, or grow into the full measure of Christ, into maturity. Of course, there are many distractions to growth, many good things we do instead. Paul writes,
For a time exists when they will not endure healthy teaching, but according to their desires raise up for themselves teachers tickling ears.*
What does it mean to tickle a baby's ear? Goo Goo Gaa Gaa, tickle, tickle, you are such a good little baby. It means to raise up teachers that continue to feed milk. But growth is God's workmanship and His glory. How is His workmanship accomplished? John could not have provided a more simplified way, "I have written to you, youth, for the word of God abides in you and you have overcome the evil one."* We can cast out demons, lay on hands, and even dread on snakes, but the young one overcomes evil, is proven a man, when he looks intently into truth, not turning back, but abiding in truth, the word of God. Growth is through abiding in the Vine, Jesus whose words are eternal Life.
the one saying he abides in God ought to walk just as Jesus walked also.*
Jesus walked in truth and in agape love, "and walk in love, as also Christ loved us and gave himself above us to the extent a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."* He was crucified, so that our old self, enslaved to sin, is crucified with Him, "knowing this, since our old self was crucified with Christ, so that the body of sin is powerless, that we no longer are enslaved to sin.* And Jesus arose again, so that we have the power to walk like Him in newness of Life, "therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ arose from the dead through the glory of the Father, in this way also we walk in newness of Life."* In the teachings of baptism, we see the truth that breaks down strongholds. The living sacrifice is that we allow God's truth to accomplish its work in us. If exist united in his death, crucified with Christ, then also we exist in His Life, walking in newness of Life.