Romans 6:4 - Resurrection Power.
Romans 6:4 (NLT) 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.
Romans 6:4 (AMP) We were buried therefore
with Him by the baptism into death, so that just
as Christ was raised from the dead by the
glorious [power] of the Father, so we too might
[habitually] live and behave in newness of life.
Romans 6:4 (CWR) Therefore, if by our
baptism we were buried with Him, then, just as
Christ was raised from the dead to the glory of
God, we also were raised to live a new life to
the glory of God.
INTRODUCTION
How Real Change Happens
Ive noticed that a lot of people treat
their dogs as though they were humans. They dress
them up in humiliating outfits. They buy food for
them that looks like people food because they
think their dogs will actually appreciate that.
And worst of all, they push their dogs around in
strollers.
The reality is that a dog would prefer to
just do what dogs do, like eat roadkill, drink
toilet water, and chase cats. Thats because you
cant change the nature of an animal. The Bible
even says, Can a leopard take away its
spots? (Jeremiah 13:23 NLT).
That brings us to a question: Can people
change, or are we just victims of fate?
I think people can change. But we cant
change ourselves any more than a drowning man can
save himself.
Sometimes, however, we think that if we
change the outside, it will be different on the
inside. Or if we lived in a new place, our lives
would be better. Or if we made some new friends,
wed be better people.
But those things wont change who we
are on the inside.
Maybe youve tried to break free from
the power of alcohol or turn away from a
lifestyle of drugs. Maybe youve tried to live a
sexually pure life. And maybe youve tried to be a
better person. But none of it has really worked.
Thats because the problem is within.
Some people say the answer is within, but
actually the heart of the problem is the problem of
the heart.
The Bible tells us that the heart (that
is, who we are on the inside) is the most
deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked
(Jeremiah 17:9 NLT).
But the good news is that God can change
you on the inside. God can change your heart.
[Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries;
https://www.harvestdaily.com]
COMMENTARY
From Spiritual Death to Life
A pastor was baptizing a man who had
lived a rather wicked life. The man told him,
Pastor, hold me down a long time. I have a lot to
bury.
Baptism is a symbol of the end of the old
you and the beginning of the new you. Its an
outward showing of an inward doing, because
regeneration takes place when we believe in Jesus.
The Bible tells us, Therefore we were
buried with Him through baptism into death, that
just as Christ was raised from the dead by the
glory of the Father, even so we also should walk
in newness of life (Romans 6:4 NKJV).
By the way, there is Gods part and our
part. God sanctifies us. The apostle Paul wrote to
the Thessalonian church, May the God of peace
Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole
spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians
5:23 NKJV).
But then we need to cooperate with God.
Paul wrote to the believers in Philippi, Work
out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
for it is God who works in you both to will and
to do for His good pleasure (Philippians
2:12"13 NKJV).
Notice that Paul didnt say, Work
for your salvation. Thats impossible,
because salvation is a gift of God. Rather, live it
out. Experience it. Our salvation should affect
us in our day-to-day choices.
Salvation is coming to Christ;
sanctification is growing in Christ. Salvation happens in a
moment, bringing a sinner from spiritual death to
life; sanctification is an ongoing process.
Salvation is being forgiven of the past;
sanctification is breaking free from the power of sin. This
is something God does in our lives, and it
never stops until we get to Heaven. [Greg Laurie
from Harvest Ministries;
https://www.harvestdaily.com]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
Philippians 3:10 - Becoming Like Jesus In
His Death.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2017/20170906-1054.html
Romans 7:24, 25: The Sinful Nature is
Conquered in Christ!
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2016/20160610-1524.html
Galatians 2:20: Dead Yet Alive.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2015/20150922-1838.html
Galatians 5:24: Crucified with Christ?
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2005/20050609-0902.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor
(recent): https://www.revelationnow.com/
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio (recent):
https://bible.awr.org/en/the-signs/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
