Living Out The Death And Resurrection Of Christ

Focus: Romans 6:5 - KJV

5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Colossians 3:1-11

By faith in the word of God, everyone who believes in the works of Christ is dead to the flesh having been crucified with Christ, buried with Him through baptism and the life he lives afterward, is lived by Christ Jesus. Since a dead person feels no pain, the believer who is dead in Christ is by spiritual nature meant to be dead to the flesh and all forms of known negative emotions. The converse is also true that since he lives his life through the life of Christ post resurrection, he operates in a realm far above all principalities and powers from where Christ is seated in heavenly places. And because Christ dwells in him to live his life for him, the heart of the believer is filled and ordered with the thoughts of Christ through circumcision and sanctification.

It was not a big deal for Saul of Tarsus to kill and hail killers while he was yet to experience the transformation that made him a believer. No sooner did he get transformed, life had a better meaning to him and he lived the rest of his life not only mortifying the flesh and its evil works, but also taught others to do the same and imbibe Christ instead. How so swift it can be to move from darkness into light by the help of the Spirit of God is what many may not appreciate. But we found a clear example in Saul that became Paul just upon one encounter that killed his flesh and brought him to life in Christ for the rest of his earthly life.

The Lord is saying it is not difficult to mortify the flesh if we allow the Holy Spirit to help us. Even though we were evil before encountering Christ, that encounter ought to put an end to our old lives and bring us up in the resurrected Christ such that henceforth, we only go about doing good. It cannot therefore be right for us to be viewed by the world as followers/believers in Christ and yet exhibit, on a going basis, the works of the flesh. One will then tend to wonder what went dead in the person when he encountered Christ if he continues in his old ways. God is saying we should please let old things truly pass away in our lives and allow all things to become new in the resurrected Christ for us.

Please pray:

Thank you, father for your transformative power over my life. As I have shed the devil and all his works, please do not let the flesh and any of its works rear its ugly head in my life ever again, in Jesus’ name. Please fortify me by your Spirit towards good works always as I live my life through Christ, in Jesus’ name. Make my life a blessing to your creatures, dear Lord, in Jesus’ name.

Please share with others. God bless you.