Alive to God in Christ
Romans 6:1-11 NRSV
What then are we to say? Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it?
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore, we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So, you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Glorious and Holy God,
Provocations against thy divine majesty have filled my whole life. My offences have been countless and aggravated. Conscience has rebuked me, friends have admonished me, the examples of others have reproached me, thy rod has chastised me, thy kindnesses allured me.
Thou hast seen and abhorred all my sins and couldst easily and justly have punished me, yet thou hast spared me, been gracious unto me, given me thy help, invited me to thy table.
Lord,
I thankfully obey thy call, accept of thy goodness, acquiesce in thy gospel appointments.
I believe that Jesus thy Son has plenteous redemption. I apply to him for his benefits, give up my mind implicitly to his instructions, trust and glory in his sacrifice, revere and love his authority, pray that his grace may reign in my life.
I will not love a world that crucified him, neither cherish nor endure the sin that put him to grief, nor suffer him to be wounded by others.
At the cross that relieves my conscience let me learn lessons of self-denial, forgiveness and submission; feel motives to obedience; find resources for all needs of the divine life.
Then, let me be what I profess, do as well as teach, live as well as hear religion.
Amen.
(“A Neophyte’s Devotion,” The Valley of Vision)
There Is a Fountain
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
