Knowing this, that our old humanity was crucified together with Him, that the body of sin may be nullified, for us by no means to be still slaving for Sin. For one who dies has been justified from sin. Now if we died together with Christ, we believe that we shall be living together with Him also, having perceived that Christ, being roused from among the dead, is no longer dying. Death is lording it over Him no longer, for in that He died, He died to sin once for all time, yet in that He is living, He is living to God. Thus you also, be reckoning yourselves to be dead, indeed, to sin, yet living to God in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Romans 6: 6-11, Concordant New Testament
What does it mean to live to God? The two translations which I often refer to both make reference in Romans 6 to a life lived to God, but what exactly is that? Far too many people fall for the credence of living life to it's fullest, as if we ourselves were all which our lives had to offer. We're told to live for today, look out for number one and take care of ourselves above all else. Ask any person on the street who they live their lives for and you'll probably not hear too many say that they live their lives to God. So, what made the apostle Paul so different? Paul, the author of the letter to the Romans, first described Jesus as "Living to God."{Romans 6:11}. Yeah, but that's Jesus right? I mean, Jesus is all things God so He should by all rights live a life to God, right? Absolutely. Yet I believe that Paul was getting to something bigger here. I believe that Paul is making the case for the followers of Christ Jesus to live a life to God. Whoa, I can live a life to God? Absolutely! In Paul's letter to the church in Rome, he explains how it is that Christ Jesus lives to God. In order to live to God, Jesus needed to die. Indeed, by facing and defeating death, Christ paved the way to live to God. But what was it that Jesus accomplished by willingly accepting His death upon the cross? Paul explains that by accepting physical death, Jesus also put sin to death {Romans 6:6}. In his letter to the church in Corinth, Paul explains that upon His death that Jesus became sin on our behalf, that it would be put to death with Him {2 Corinthians 5:21}. Many believers feel as if they could never consider living a life to God for fear of what sin they might be held accountable for. Folks, this is exactly why Jesus walked to the cross with Gods children in mind. Even before His death, He was living to God. So, is a life lived to God really within our reach? I believe that we already are.
So that, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: the primitive passed by. Lo! there has come new!
2 Corinthians 5: 17, Concordant New Testament
The common mistake that many believers make even before they consider living a life to God is holding to a mistaken view of their own identity. Ask any believer who they feel they are and you will more than likely hear them confess that they are sinners. It's really not their fault, for this is what we have been taught to believe from almost every pulpit in Christianity. The best we can hope for, we're told, is to "be like" Jesus. Well, being "like" Jesus is NOT being Jesus. Wait, being Jesus? What kind of blasphemy is that? Not blasphemy, but the same identity of Christ Jesus that Paul recognized in himself {Galatians 2:20}. The mistaken identity which most believers adhere to is the idea that they are sinful human flesh. This is who they feel they are. It was who I felt I was. This is what slapped me in the face the day a dear friend introduced me to the truth of knowing Christ in me. Can Jesus be in such a sinner as myself? Remember, it was Jesus who was crucified that sin would be put to death as well. Jesus may have been resurrected that morning, but sin was not. So, why should I fear something that is already dead? Why should I fear that something which is dead can somehow keep me from knowing who I am in Christ? This is our mistaken identity which we continue to adhere to. It is not sinful human flesh which ultimately defines us. Our flesh is merely a vessel for Christ who is in us. So, are you living to God?
With Christ have I been crucified, yet I am living; no longer I, but living in me is Christ. Now that which I am now living in the flesh, I am living in faith that is of the Son of God, who loves me and gives Himself up for me.
Galatians 2: 20, Concordant New Testament
~Scott~
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