Death to sin is quite the statement I know. The newness in life is a pretty great statement as a contrast. But what does “death to sin” mean?

Go with me for a second. As I studied and sat down to write, the adage of “you are dead to me” came to mind. I know that I have seen in the movies and have read that after some event where someone disappoints another there is a declaration by the one of “disowning” the one that disappointed, thereby not acknowledging their existence any longer. This seems like a fitting description of our death to sin. We no longer acknowledge the pursuit of sin.

“⁶We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” – Romans 6:6 (ESV)

We are free from the destructive forces of sin’s pull on our lives as we now have Christ and His plan for our lives to focus on.

“⁴We 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.” – Romans 6:4 (ESV)

Now that we have buried sin, we can put up our hand and declare the following, “Sin, you are dead to me!”

Now are we done with sin, OH NO! Sin will continue to come around and we will be tempted to allow it back, but if we have truly begun to “walk in newness of life”, we will be able to maintain our distance and keep in holding to our declaration of the death of sin.

In your life, are you enslaved to sin? Are you able to declare, “Sin, you are dead to me!”? Will you take the opportunity to accept the “newness of life” that Christ provides?

You know, we were made sinners thanks to the disobedience of one, and we were given life through the obedience of one.

“¹⁹For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. ²⁰Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, ²¹so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 5:19-21 (ESV)

We know the story of Adam’s deliberate eating from the Tree of Knowledge. He knew the rule and chose to break it. Once he broke the rule, sin was introduced to the world. As a result of his rule breaking, the Ten Commandments were given by God to provide our guidance. And then, man decided that we needed more rules and laws to “keep us from sinning”. What we learned from Adam (by way of Satan) is the adage that “rules were meant to be broken”.

Careful with how you interpret what I am saying here, if the law did not outline all of the things we should not do, we may not do those things. The lore of the forbidden drives us to “try” things that we would not normally try. Adam was ultimately intrigued to break the rule and likewise we are as well. His rule breaking ultimately led to our sinful nature.

Jesus on the other hand was without sin. No matter the rules before Him as set by man, He followed the rules of God and therefore did not sin. (See Romans 12 to know and study the marks of a true Christian.) One man, Jesus, brought us salvation from our sinful nature, that one man, Adam, brought us into.

When you look at the sin in your life, are you aware that it is a result of the one man, Adam? Are you looking for the way out of that sinful life? Are you willing to accept the gift of one man, Jesus Christ our Lord?

Christ Died for us as Sinners. He now lives for us as Brothers and Sisters.

“⁸but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. ¹⁰For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” – Romans 5:8-10 (ESV)

We were saved from death by the death of Christ. We are given life in Christ through His resurrection from that death. Our life is made better by the death and life of Christ. He died so we did not have to and He rose to give us life.

“⁸We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; ⁹persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” – 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 (ESV)

As Christians, we are a lot of things, but beaten is not one of them. We are always aware of sacrifice of Christ’s death for us, but we should also be always aware of the life given to us by the resurrected life of Christ.

When you look at it, are you aware of what Christ did for you? Are you ever aware of His death so you did not have to die? Are you living the life that He gave to you through His resurrection?

“¹³For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith…¹⁷as it is written, ‘I have made you the father of many nations’—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.” – Romans 4:13 & 17 (ESV)

Abraham had many reasons to lose faith in God. He was old, about a hundred years. His wife was barren, had not conceived and would likely not. Yet, he remained faithful.

“¹⁸In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, ‘So shall your offspring be.’” – Romans 4:18 (ESV)

With all stacked against him, Abraham still believed and faithfully carried out God’s plan for him. God gave him the promise He made to him.

Our circumstances may or may not be as daunting as those of Abraham, but God gives to us just the same. We are given from God.

We have to be careful not to expect that God will provide on the basis of our deeds, it is through our faith that he will provide that we are given eternal life. Our faith is what keeps us moving forward and doing the work of God. Not for salvation, but we do the work because we have been asked to by our Father in heaven.

When you think about eternal life, what works are you doing? Are you doing in expectation of a return on your investment? Are you feeling entitled to eternal life or living on the fact that you were given eternal life through your faith?

This morning as I read in Acts, I am reminded that Jesus came that ALL have the opportunity of Salvation.

“⁴⁴The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. ⁴⁵But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. ⁴⁶And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, ‘It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,

“I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”’

⁴⁸And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.” – Acts 13:44-48 (ESV)

Here we see that Paul and Barnabas spoke to the people and brought the gospel to them. They started in the synagogue the week before and were asked to return the following week. The word spread and everyone came.

The Jews were taken aback that Paul and Barnabas would speak with the Gentiles and not devote their time to the “Holy” people and so they displayed actions of jealousy. Don’t we find ourselves in similar situations when someone “steals” our time in the spotlight?

Paul and Barnabas did not get into arguments with the people, they simply explained their position of preaching to those who would be there. They indicate they started with the “Holy” ones and then continued with those who had a thirst for salvation. And when they did, the Gentiles responded with joy and thanksgiving for the Word of God.

The Word of God is for ALL, not just those that “deserve” it. I hope that the light I shine is one that shows compassion and the delivery of the Word of God to ALL.

Where are you in your opportunities to share the Word of God? Are you focused only on those that “deserve” it? Are you bringing the Word of God and subsequently eternal life to ALL?

“³⁰Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; ³¹but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” – John 20:30-31 (ESV)

As I study this morning I can’t help thinking about how much I may be doubting Jesus. Am I looking for more overt signs that He is the Christ? Am I waiting to be thoroughly convinced by some action of Jesus to/for me in order to have “life”?

John indicates that there were “many other signs” that Jesus did to demonstrate His deity. He also indicates that he did not write them because they are not be needed as what is written is sufficient and more than enough.

It is up to us to believe. We are intelligent beings and have the ability to discern right from wrong and Godly from ungodly. We are to take what we have been given and make the decision to believe or not believe. There is no need for more “proof”, we have all the proof as recorded in the gospels.

Are you looking for additional signs of the deity of Jesus? Are you waiting for that one point of “proof”? Are you able to simply believe and have the life meant for you?

True knowledge is a depth of understanding and continuous learning of and about.

“³And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” – John 17:3 (ESV)

When we truly “know”, we have placed into our mind and our heart that which we have learned, otherwise we have simply captured information for recall later. When we get to “know” another person, they are not just an acquaintance, we have placed them in our heart and our depth of understanding for them increases beyond just recalling their face.

We, at least I can speak for myself, have never met Jesus face to face, yet if He were to walk in the room, I feel as though, like those that had met Him, I would instantly recognize Him. I feel that I have established a relationship with Jesus Christ through my continued study and devotion to Him that I now have a loving, nurturing, friend and family member that only wants the best for me always. I feel as though I know God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit.

This “knowing” of God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit have giving me eternal life. This Eternal life is more than physical of course, it is the full “living” for and with God as my Friend, Brother, Father, and Lord.

Do you “know” God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit? Are you able to count God as Friend, Brother, Father, and Lord? Are you experiencing Eternal Life through your Knowing of Jesus?

“⁴And you know the way to where I am going.  ⁵Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going.  How can we know the way?’  ⁶Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.  ⁷If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.  From now on you do know him and have seen him.’” – John 14:4-7 (ESV)

Oh that Thomas, such a doubter.  But aren’t we similar in that we question God regularly?  I know that I do and I should know better.

Jesus is the only way to get to the Father in heaven.  Through our belief in Him and our acceptance of the salvation He provides, we have been shown the way, we have access to the truth, and we are given eternal life.

“As the way, Jesus is our path to the Father.  As the truth, his is the reality of all God’s promises. As the life, he joins his divine life to ours, both now and eternally.” – NIV Commentary for verse 6

We should be actively thankful for the path to the Father, reality of all God’s promises, and our union with Jesus.  With each of these, we are closer each day to Him than we were just the day prior.

When you are thinking of Jesus, are you thankful for Him?  Are you actively seeking the way and realizing all God’s promises?  Are you aware that Jesus is “The way, the truth, and the life”?

Have you ever reached a place and think, “I made it”? When we have received salvation from God, we are in that position.

“²⁸I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” – John 10:28-29 (ESV)

Once we have received the gift of salvation, we are protected from any ultimate harm. We are eternally safe.

Here is where I get a bit befuddled. We will still meet hardships and a need to fight through the difficulties that other may have as well. And if I have received eternal life and have eternal safety, why would I have these difficulties presented to me? Because I am human and remain a sinner on this earth.

The difference is that I am now a part of the flock of Jesus. The good shepherd creates a safe area for the sheep. The sheep themselves are still in danger, of the wolves and other difficulties that come with being a sheep, but the good shepherd protects them even to the point of death as he fights off the evil that surrounds them. Jesus does the same for us. As His sheep, He protects us from the evil around us. It is still there, but we are forever protected against the dangers of this world as He fights off those dangers for us.

When you look out into the world in front of you, are you focused on the dangers? Are you grateful for the safety provided by your salvation? Are you eternally safe thanks to your eternal life?

“¹⁰The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have live and have it abundantly.” – John 10:10 (ESV)

When we accept life with Christ, we are accepting eternal life. That in and of itself is plentiful and great. But Jesus does not stop there. He creates an abundant life for us beginning the moment we accept.

Jesus Christ provides “overflowing forgiveness, love, and guidance” (NIV commentary) for us as we progress in this world. Our fellowship with Him allows for “a rich, full, joyful life” (ESV commentary).

Talk about abundance. Plenty to be thankful for with what God gives.

When you look at your life with Christ, are you looking at all the great things he provides? Are you thankful for the forgiveness, love and guidance? Are you aware of the abundance that comes with your life with Christ?