”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.
Romans 6:4New International Version (NIV)
Romans 6:4 Devotional
A New Life
“A New Life” (Romans 6:4) is the manifestation of the new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). And this is because a new creation is the only creature capable of living a new life that Christ offers.
But the key to living this new life is founded on your baptism into Christ. Christ is the only way to God. This is the point that Jesus made in John 14:6.
Universally, therefore, Christians agree that baptism is a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Consequently, the references to baptism in Romans 6:3-5 clearly imply immersion. This is because no other mode could picture the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ appropriately.
In addition, water immersion also portrays the death of the believer to his old life and his resurrection to a new life. That is the “old man” (Romans 6:6) becomes “dead unto sin,” and the new man “alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:11).
However, there is nothing in the baptismal waters themselves that produces this miracle. But rather the “washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5) is accomplished by the baptism of the Holy Spirit into Christ Himself (1 Corinthians 12:13).
Therefore, baptism is a baptism unto His death (that occurred on the cross). This is what guarantees your union with Him in the resurrection (Romans 6:5 and John 11:25-26).
But remember, He rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). Meaning that baptism unto His death portrays your death to sin.
Therefore, you are no longer a slave to sin. You are free from the power of sin. And this is the essence of the new life in Christ.
Prayer/Blessing
May you manifest Christ that is in you. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
Hebrews 1-4 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
