Romans 6:5

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his ~ Romans 6:5

 

I actually like how the KJV spells out the first part of this verse: “For if we have been planted together…” What a beautiful analogy of death, for though most people fear death, it is beautiful as it is a transition from one life to the next. I am not saying the way every death occurs is beautiful, some are violent, painful, and horrific experiences. I am talking though about the actual act of death itself, for it is a type of planting, whether that is in loss of life, or in loss of materialist value. In the death of a seed, all the forces of decay bring about a new shoot which springs up to bear new fruit! That is beautiful. This is how the death of Jesus Christ is explained by Paul, for His death brought forth fruitfulness in repentance. Christ by His death, redeemed a whole world, a lost world. We too, by dying to our self, and allowing Jesus Christ to enter into our heart, bear witness then of the pardon and holiness of Jesus Christ we have grown to receive. As He rose from the grave, we also become like Him as we take on His likeness and leave our sin behind. We then, like Him, live a new life, a transformed life. Paul is referring to the new spiritual life we live as Christ followers. Without dying to self, we cannot be obedient as Christ was obedient, we cannot enter fully into servanthood and humility as Christ displayed. The only way is to crucify our “old man” of carnal nature and grow day by day into service. This can only happen as we put our own life to death and take on the life of Christ. Then we will share in the benefits and enjoy its effects, for not only will our bodies be raised to life in the last day, but our soul now is regenerated by His grace!


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