Saturday April 18, 2020

Your Daily Dose of Inspiration:

Rom 6:3-8 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. (5) For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. (6) We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. (7) For one who has died has been set free from sin. (8) Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

In the cross we find the death of our old life, in the empty tomb we find the birth of our new one. So many people are put off by the cross. They cannot bear to let go of the sin which clings so closely. They have not realized the great worth of Christ’s resurrection. They have not understood the glory of the life which He offers. Yes, we must die to our sins, we must participate in the death on the cross, but by doing so we get to participate in resurrection. We get to share in the life of Christ. We not just given a new life; we are given His life; the life of the Son of God.

Rom 8:13-17 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (14) For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (15) For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (16) The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, (17) and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Christ came out of that tomb in glory and ascended to the right hand of the Father. He lives forever in power and majesty, in peace and joy, with no pain or worry. He calls us to be resurrected with Him and to live as He does, in the presence of the Father. He invites us to partake in His inheritance; to live in the life which He enjoys. That is the great work of the cross and the grave, not only that He overcame them both, but that through Him, we may do the same.

-Jared Freeman, “Open Tombs”