When we trust Christ for salvation, new spiritual life courses through our being. But soon something disillusioning happens. We sin! Old patterns – some more shameful than before – become evident. Could it be that what we thought was new life was merely a psychological detour along the broad road to destruction? No, not if we have indeed placed our faith in Christ. The question here is whether we have affirmed our death in Christ. Let me explain.
Nearly 2,000 years ago on Calvary, Jesus died to pay sin’s penalty and break its power and dominion. Trusting Him as Savior does not remove the sin principle in us, but it does break its strong hold over us. You see, Jesus was our representative and substitute, and we, in a sense, died with Him.
The well-known southern preacher Robert G. Lee was visiting Gordon’s Calvary, near Jerusalem, possibly the site where Jesus was crucified. Lee told his Arab guide he wanted to walk to the top of the hill. At first the guide tried to discourage him, but when he saw that Lee was determined, he went along with him. Once on the crest, the minister removed his hat and stood with bowed head, greatly moved. “Sir,” the guide asked abruptly, “have you been here before?” “Yes!” replied Dr. Lee. “Two thousand years ago.”
Paul tells us to see our relationship to sin as having been altered by Jesus’ death. We must act on this fact by reckoning ourselves dead to sin and by yielding ourselves as alive to God (Romans 6:11, 13). Victory over sin is identification with Christ in His death and resurrection. – Dennis J. De Haan
Let us grow up in Christ,
Claiming His life and its powers –
The triumphs of grace in the heavenly place
That our conquering Lord has made ours. – Flint
Christ became a curse FOR us to remove the curse FROM us.
- June 2, 1984, Our Daily Bread
For You 