May 25, 2017: SOAP #2730: 1Kings 10, 11; 2Chronicles 9; Romans 6

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 6:3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Observation: Paul, who elsewhere wrote, “I am crucified with Christ â€¦ ” here reminds us that we were also buried with Him.  One does not bury a friend to kill them, but to properly place the body left behind in some appropriate location.  Since our bodies were taken from the earth, it is appropriate to bury them in the ground.  This is a symbolic burial because we still need our earthly bodies.  So, we baptize them in water instead of burying them in the ground. Praise the Lord that the great theme of salvation has two parts.

And so, baptism has two aspects.  The first is death.  The second is life.  Going under the water signifies our death to an old way of life, but being brought up out of the water signifies our resurrection to a new way of living.

Application:  Before I could identify with his resurrection in baptism by being brought up out of the water, I was first identified with His death by being placed under the water.  Paul writes a few verses later: count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:11)

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, keep reminding myself of this truth! I am dead to sin and alive to God!  Help me live like it is true, because it is! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!