In The Likeness of His Resurrection: Romans 6:4-5
“4) Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5) For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,”. Romans 6:4-5
If you understand these verses, there is a two way transaction that takes place. We are baptized into His death on the cross so that our sins are totally paid for, but He goes way beyond that and places us into His resurrection life. We died with Him so that we might live with Him.
But the meaning goes even deeper. Prior to being born-again by faith in Jesus Christ, the life that we lived was basic “bios” or “biological life.” It could be understood as life on a physical level. But when we place faith in Christ, He gives us what the Bible calls “Zoe” life. This could be called “Spiritual Life.” This enables us to “walk in newness of life.” This is the God kind of Life.
But you say; “I object, I still look and feel very human.” So did Jesus, but without sin and Satan being His Master. We become like Him. Being born-again means our very essence changes. At the moment of salvation we are filled with the Holy Spirit. From that point forward it is possible for us to live and walk in the Spirit. Unfortunately, our flesh is still alive as well and this can set up the inner war Paul talked about in Galatians 5:16-24.
We could say that the Christian life brings on a metamorphosis every bit as real as the caterpillar crawling into a cocoon. It is a mystery, but soon new life emerges. The butterfly looks very different from the caterpillar that made the cocoon. From the moment it spreads its wings, it leaves caterpillar life behind. It will never crawl through life again.
So also the Christian has every resource in Christ to leave their old life behind and walk in newness of life. Just as we come to Christ by grace through faith, we daily step into our new life the same way. The process of spiritual growth is a precious journey that leaves the old behind and embraces everything new in Christ.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
