Grace has abounded and now reigns through the gift of righteousness given to us by Jesus Christ. Now what?

4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; (5) take away the wicked [wickedness] from the presence of the king [King’s kids], and his throne [heart] will be established in righteousness.

Paul has described how Jesus bound us all over to disobedience so that he could have mercy on us all (Romans 11:32). Jesus broke the curse of sin and death by fulfilling the law* and being obedient even unto death. Now, life is offered to all who believe in him. Paul continues,

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? ² By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? ³ Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴ We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:1-4

Here, we have another word picture using death. The first one we have is from Jesus to Nicodemus about needing to be born again. In this second word picture, we are alive, but die to ourselves, are buried with Christ, and are then raised to walk in new life with him. Both word pictures are relational. It’s about walking with Jesus. He will never lead us into temptation or sin. We will still be tempted; we will still sin, but it is not what Jesus wants, and we now want what Jesus wants. So, we walk in grace even as we learn to walk in the freedom we have in Christ, the freedom that sets us free from destructive thoughts and behaviors. We don’t WANT to continue in sin! What we now have is NO CONDEMNATION!!! (Romans 8:1) for those who are in Christ Jesus. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life has set us free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” Jesus said that “whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life” (John 5:24). This is the type of eternal life I want: Life With Jesus!

May you see your salvation as more than just a ticket to heaven, but as Jesus offering to be our friend for life. He will lead us into all truth.

Abba, I love having you as my friend. Thank you for making it possible. As I walk with you, may you guide me into all truth, especially about destructive thoughts and behaviors. I ask this question, “Jesus what is standing in the way of us communicating more clearly? Please show me and then help me remove it.” Amen.

*Jesus fulfilled the law by living a sinless life according to the law of Moses. In his 33 years, he did what no other human could do, which was to live righteously in fellowship with the Father. It is interesting to note that he did not do things like the religious leaders of his day, especially when it came to the Sabbath. Jesus interpreted the law according to how it was truly meant rather than how it had been interpreted by men.