Following Jesus: Death to Sin

Romans 6:1-11

Jesus’ death on the cross coincided with signs and wonders.  While Jesus was on the cross, darkness fell on the land.  At his death, the earth shook, rocks split open, the veil of the temple was torn, and the dead rose out of their graves and appeared to people in Jerusalem.  These events on earth displayed the true gravity of what was taking place in the spiritual world. 
​
Jesus died as a substitute for humanity.  The sin of the world was put upon Him, and He received the punishment for that sin at the cross.  Only Jesus was qualified to do this.  Every human has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  Since the fall of Adam and Eve, sin had reigned over the human heart.  We were slaves to sin.  The punishment for sin is death.  By coming to earth as a man, and living a sinless life, Jesus was the only human who was free from punishment.  He died as payment for humanity.  By laying down His life for us, Jesus -the only holy human- became the perfect substitute.  To all who accept Jesus Christ, our old self is crucified with Christ.  We have died to sin.  We are no longer slaves to sinful desires and passions.  Those who believe and are baptized are baptized into Jesus’ death.  It is a death to the old self; a death to sin and a lifestyle of sin.  It is through this death that we are set free from sin.  It is through the death and resurrection of Jesus that the believer’s life is made completely new.  Maturity in Christ includes a greater realization of the freedom that comes from Jesus’ death and a recognition that we have died to sin and sinful desires.  Today, may you fully realize the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in your own life, and may you be totally set free from the slavery of sin.