Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Today let’s do an autopsy of our death with Christ.

Today’s scripture, Romans 6:6-7 (NLT) explains…
[6] We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. [7] For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.

Consider…
One of the favorite words in the Christian vocabulary is GRACE, which we have defined as God’s Righteousness At Christ Expense.

Also, one of our favorite quotes is Ephesians 2:4-5 (NLT), which testifies…
[4] But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, [5] that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

We also like quoting, Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT), which explains…
[8] God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. [9] Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

However, the Apostle Paul shares God’s addendum to His grace in Romans 6:1-3 (NLT). He wrote…
[1] Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? [2] Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? [3] Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death?

This makes me think of a recovering alcoholic who thinks they can keep drinking. It’s impossible. Our actions must be congruent with our words.

The Holy Spirit underscores that truth with Galatians 5:24-25 (NLT), which mandates…
[24] Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. [25] Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

There’s no wiggle room with God, He expects us to live from the power of sin.

As I wrote that, the Holy Spirit just showed me that Jesus died and rose to set us free…

• From God’s penalty for sin
• To live free from the power of sin
• To live eternally without the presence of sin

Jesus didn’t clean us up for us to continue playing in the muck and mire of sin.

Like Psalms 40:2 (NLT) testifies…
[2] He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.

This verse pressed play on L.A. Mass Choir singing…

I was sinking deep in sin
Far from the peaceful shore
Very deeply stained within
Sinking to rise no more
But the master of the sea
Heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me
Now safe am I

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me

But here’s the question we must ask ourselves, “if love lifted us from the deadly ocean of sin, why do we keep willingly jumping back in?”

The only watery immersion that God wants us to cling to is His baptism. Romans 6:4 (NLT) reminds us…
[4] For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

You see baptism signifies we have died to sin and now live new lives in Him.

As blood bought believers, we must testify with the Apostle Paul in Galatians 2:20 (NLT)…
[20] My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

While writing this, it occurs to me that we may have a misunderstanding of what dying to sin really means. Fortunately, the Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul to write Ephesians 4:21-24 (NLT), which explains…
[21] Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, [22] throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. [23] Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. [24] Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Just like we read in Galatians 5:24, our old sinful passions and desires must die.

Also like we read in Galatians 5:25, we must allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in living according to our new nature.

Yet what I appreciate even more is how the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to make living free from sin plain. He wrote in Ephesians 4:25-32 (NLT)…
[25] So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. [26] And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, [27] for anger gives a foothold to the devil. [28] If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. [29] Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. [30] And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. [31] Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. [32] Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

When I read this passage I noticed the theme of stop doing what’s wrong against others and ‘instead’ do what’s good for them.

That brings Galatians 5:13-14 (NLT) to my mind, which says…
[13] For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. [14] For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Wow, the Holy Spirit just emphasized we’re not saved to sin, but instead to serve.

Dying to sin is about not satisfying the lust within us but instead serving others in God’s love.

The Holy Spirit also pointed me to some more plain speak from Paul, found in Ephesians 5:1-9 (NLT). He wrote…
[1] Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. [2] Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. [3] Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. [4] Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. [5] You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. [6] Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. [7] Don’t participate in the things these people do. [8] For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! [9] For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

For my box checking brothers and sisters in Christ, that’s two lists that the Lord had me share with you. But the Holy Spirit is impressing on me that our focus shouldn’t be on what must die in us, but ‘instead’ how we must live in Him.

That means, the key to the Ephesians passage I just shared is found in verse 2, which said…
Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

This reminds me of my goto scripture for sacrificial living, 1 John 3:16 (NLT), which says…
[16] We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.

Dying to sin means giving up our selfish passions and desires, and becoming selfless like Christ out of genuine love for others.

Today, let’s immerse ourselves in dying with Christ to help others live with Him. If that becomes our primary focus, there will be no time and energy left to continue to indulge in selfish sin.

Like Christ, we must live for God’s purpose over our pleasure.

Today’s song is…
Purpose Over Pleasure

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)