Friday, October 11, 2024
You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.
The young man was amazed as he got to sit near the court in the row behind the players at an NBA game. He had been in the locker room before the start of the game. He had come in the players' entrance into the arena. He had entered the stadium through the underground tunnel only players, coaches, and officials used. Each of these areas was guarded by security or police. How was this possible? He didn't have a ticket, wasn't a player, and was only known to one person inside the organization. Simple: He knew the right person. At each security checkpoint, at the entrance into the players' locker room, and as he came into the arena, this significant person said, "Don't worry about him; he's with me!"
Similarly, when we arrive in glory with Jesus, we can be assured of our places with Him in glory because He will say, "Don't worry about them; they are not only with me; they are joined to me!" When we were baptized with Christ, we were joined with the Lord Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection. [1] The old sinful nature died, was cut away, and our sins were canceled by the power of sharing in Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Jesus defeated sin and triumphed over the powers and authorities of the demonic world for us on the cross and in His resurrection. He freed us from the fear of death and its power to claim our lives. [2] We can be confident of our salvation, access to God, and eternal life. We have victory over sin, death, and hell. Jesus triumphed, and our lives are now joined with His through faith in God's power. Jesus' righteousness is our righteousness. [3] As Paul could say:
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. [4]
This is a trustworthy saying:
If we die with him, we will also live with him. [5]
Jesus' life gives us life. Jesus' future is our future. When He returns, He will take us with Him and let everyone know that we are with Him.
Father, thank You for uniting my life through faith with the triumphant life of Jesus. I believe Jesus' sacrifice ensures that I am forgiven, His future ensures my future, and His resurrection from the dead ensures my life with You forever. Thank You, dear Father, for such a great plan and awesome blessing. Thank you for loving each of us so much to allow our lives to be joined to Jesus' saving sacrifice. I offer this prayer to You and give my thanks and praise to Your son, Christ Jesus, for His grace. Amen.
Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.
'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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