Life in Christ – The With God Life! (Romans 6:1-14)
I open the Bible to chapter 6 of Romans, and immediately these words grab me hard: “…are you unaware…?”
I understand that unawareness is a blind spot, and it is downright dangerous. So, I stop what I’m doing and pray: Lord, help show me where I am unaware.”
Are you aware that…
The enemy of our soul specializes in deception.
Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore, we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:3-4
Are you aware that…
We have newness of life!
The world sees those who die and come out of their graves as Zombies—the walking dead. While on the other hand, as Christians we are the walking dead until Christ creates in us new life – the with-God life..
For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be rendered powerless so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin, since a person who has died is freed from sin.
Romans 6:6-7
We no longer carry the stench of sin, but carry the sweet fragrance of Christ
Are you aware that…
For the death He died, He died to sin once for all time, but the life He lives, He lives to God. So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey its desires, and do not offer any parts of it to sin as weapons of unrighteousness. But to those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons of righteousness. For sin will not rule over you because you are not under the law but under grace.
Romans 6:10-14
Baptism is a public announcement—a confession of faith. Being buried in the water is our spiritual burial, and being raised out of the water is our spiritual resurrection.
Are you aware that…
The Holy Spirit appeals to us to humbly yield. When we do our part, Christ takes our stone-cold heart and gives us a new heart—a heart beating in harmony with His will.
We live, not as the walking dead, but walking alive – with God!
Sadly, there are some believers wanting to continue sinning even after becoming a Christian. They treat God’s grace like a forgiveness elixir. Why exchange the sweet fragrance of Christ for the stench of sin again and again?
Sin separates us from God; no child of God wants that kind of separation. We’re not at jeopardy of losing our salvation, but we’re not walking in His divine will. We are not free to sin on Saturday because the altar is always open on Sunday.
Walking without God leaves us vulnerable.
Are you aware that…
Accepting Christ should never be taken for granted. Our decision cuts us off from the world we once knew. In some other countries or situations, the choice to choose Christ cuts them off from the families they were raised in.
All is not lost!
When we accept Christ, we are in union with Him. The with-God life means we breathe the air He breathes—our new hearts beat in rhythm with His own heart.
Are you aware that…
The with-God life is not really about doing what Jesus would do, but it is staying in step with what Jesus is doing today.
The with-God life is more than sitting in church every Sunday, shaking hands with others, and enjoying fellowship. It’s more than feeling wave after wave of worship music flowing over your soul. It’s more than an emotion experience.
Because Christ is victorious in us, we can face the world’s attacks and our problems head on!
There is a battle—a battle for the souls of humankind. God equips you to be prepared. God’s weapon is the Sword of the Spirit—Sacred Scripture? We are His walking witnesses in a sin-sick world. We carry the fragrance of Christ wherever we go.
We are faced with a tremendous decision—be a weapon in the hands of Satan or a weapon in the hands of God.
The enemy of our soul wants to use us as his weapons for unrighteousness. Sin is his weapon, of choice, and he uses it to discourage and many times nudge people toward more and more sin.
Are you discouraged, thinking you’re not good enough? None of us are good enough. Christ in us is enough.
Are you aware that…
Sin hurts—hurts us and hurts God’s heart.
The Lover of your soul will sustain you and equip you with everything you need to live this with God life. His Word is sufficient, and furthermore, He is the One who wants to sustain your relationship with Him. His banner over you is love. Love liberates us from sin!
You are His beloved! God treasures His treasure, and His treasure you are
. The with-God life is not a burden to bear, but a privilege to enjoy.
Are you aware that…
As followers of Christ, we find it unbearable to grieve or disappoint God. When we sin, and we will sin, God is faithful to forgive because He knows just how much we need Him – need this with-God life:
If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
1 John 1:8-10
God is faithful and true. He keeps you safe from harm! He equips you for God’s glory and honor. The with-God life is the life of love.
“Man cannot find the ultimate explanation of his own being anywhere but in God Himself.”
Edward Sillem
Reflection
- What happens when we are unaware of God’s Word?
- What do you think of the with-God life?
- Have you been baptized?
- Do you possess faith, or does faith possess you?
My hope and prayer is that this study has encouraged you to take up the Sword of the Spirit and live “with-God”. My desire is that you are never caught “unaware”.
May the grace and peace of God, our Father, be yours in Christ Jesus!
