Our scripture this morning is Romans 6:5-11.
“Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.”
Paul writes that “our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives” (v. 6). Jesus came to save us from our sins and show that a life in God is the greatest gift of all. It is something we must choose for ourselves, but we can’t do it alone.
God saw our struggle with sin, how it often seems to be the easy and pleasurable path. He sent His son to show us that this kind of life doesn’t honor Him, each other or ourselves. We must make the choice to die to sin and live in Christ in order to reconnect with our creator.
When we make that decision, our lives are changed and we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit as our guardian and guide. Only by accepting God’s offer of forgiveness and reconciliation can we be made whole again. God wants us all back as blessed and beloved children. He has made the first move, it is up to us to respond.
Loving Lord, in Your mercy You opened the way for us to be saved to eternal life. Help us to live in Your love and bring the Good News of salvation to all the world. Amen.