Our Representative
Opening Prayer
Before you read, ask God to give you a deeper understanding of what it means that Jesus died for us.
Read ROMANS 6:1-14
[1] What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? [2] By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? [3] Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? [4] We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. [5] If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. [6] For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin- [7] because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. [8] Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. [9] For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. [10] The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. [11] In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. [12] Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. [13] Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. [14] For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What is a believer’s relationship to sin?The imaginary headline “President snubbed by Prime Minister” is serious. The President is more than an individual. He represents his country, so the whole country is snubbed. Similarly, as our representative, when he signs a treaty every person in the country is committed.
Paul says, “And since we died with Christ, we know that we will also live with him” (8). Like the President, Jesus is our representative. We share in his death on the cross (“we have died to sin,” v. 2) and we share in his resurrection (“now we also may live new lives,” v. 4). By believing in Jesus, it is as if we, too, hung on the cross, and rose three days later.
There are two worlds, one where brokenness rules and one where wholeness abounds. Through Jesus, our representative, we are brought into the second. Sometimes it seems as if we have a foot in both worlds. That’s why Paul asks whether we should go on making the most of brokenness because it means Christ’s salvation can show itself even more (1). But who would want to live in brokenness any longer (14)?
Apply
You have died with Christ. You have risen with Christ. Today You can choose brokenness or wholeness. Which will it be?
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You that, through You, I am dead to sin and alive to You. Help me live that way today.
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