for if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. we 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. for one who has died has been set free from sin. [romans 6:5-7]
the certainty of Christ’s completed work
paul puts his confidence that we will be resurrected not on our works in this life, but in the certainty that Christ has already been resurrected. do you realize that, if you have believed in Jesus and been saved, that your old self has been crucified with Christ? in moments when we fear our good deeds are enough, God still sees Christ’s deeds as our own. on days when our sinful flesh seems so bad that God couldn’t possibly still love us—it’s that very flesh that Jesus died to redeem. Lord, increase our thankfulness for your mighty work on the cross!
~ stephen hall