WANTED: Dead and Alive

Romans 6:4  (ESV)

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.

You have probably seen it in old Western movies. The bandit robs a train and gets away with a bag full of gold. But his portrait ends up on a poster with the words, “WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE!” You wouldn’t want your image on a poster like that.

However, God has a poster in mind with you on it. The caption reads, “WANTED: DEAD AND ALIVE!” God wants you dead to sin and living for Christ. Rather than a bounty hunter, God sends out his Holy Spirit. And rather than a revolver.

The Holy Spirit connects us to Jesus Christ and gives us a share in his saving work. Our sin makes us deserving of death, but Jesus took our place. The life he lived, he gives to us. The death he died, he died for us. When He was crucified, we were crucified. When He died, we died. When He was buried, we were buried. Our sinful nature is crucified, died, and was buried with Christ. We are free from all our spiritual debts.

This doesn’t give us an excuse, though, to go on a sinning spree. Why would we want to go back into debt?  Dead AND Alive. That’s what God has made us. Dead to sin and alive to walk the way of Christ.

Dear Lord, thank You the because of You we are a new creation. The old has gone. The new has come. Help us to die each day to sin and revive us to do what pleases you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.