Years ago I heard a story about two sisters who enjoyed attending dances and wild parties. Then
they were converted and found new life in Christ. They received an invitation to a party and sent
the RSVP in these words: “We regret that we cannot attend because we recently died.”
The fullest explanation of this wonderful truth is found in Romans 6-8. Christ not only died for
us (substitution), but we died with Him (identification). This means that we can have victory
over the old sin nature that wants to control us. “How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any
longer therein?” (Romans 6:2)
Christ is our life. Eternal life is not some heavenly substance that God imparts when we, as
sinners, trust the Saviour. Eternal life is Jesus Christ Himself. “He that hath the Son hath life; and
he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:12). We are both dead and alive at the
same time—dead to sin and alive to Christ.
Someone has said, “Life is what you are alive to.” A child may come alive when you talk about a
baseball game or an ice-cream cone. A teenager may come alive when you mention cars or dates.
Paul wrote, “For to me to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). Christ was Paul’s life, and he was
alive to anything that related to Christ. So should it be with every believer.
Scripture for today: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and
your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:2-3, NIV).
Also read: Romans 6-8.
Action assignment: Take time to examine your life—and your lifestyle. List things that you
should say good-bye to: “Sorry, I can’t—I’m dead.” Ask God to enable you today to live
according to Colossians 3:1-3.
WARREN W. WIERSBE
www.backtothebible.in