Baptized to Walk in Newness of Life Romans 6:4

Paul the apostle asked the people in Rome, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?, and he answered, “God forbid.” He further questioned, “How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” In chapter six and verse four of Romans, Paul concluded, “we are buried with him by baptism...so we also should walk in newness of life” where we read:

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

The verse begins, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death:” Paul began with the word, “therefore” which means “then, accordingly, consequently and these things being so” “we are buried” which means “Paul, his companions and his believing readers were assimilated spiritually” “with him” or “with Jesus” “by baptism” which means “through immersion or submersion” “into death” or “into that separation of the soul and the body by which the life on earth is ended”. Paul concluded that he, his companions and believing readers are “immersed or submerged” into Jesus' “death”.

The verse continues, “that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Paul added the words, “that like as Christ” which means “in the same manner and way the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God” “was raised up” or “aroused and awaken” “from the dead” which refers to “out and away from that separation of the soul and the body by which the life on earth is ended” “by the glory” or “through the honor, praise and honor” “of the Father” which refers to “of God”, “even so” or “in this manner and thus” “we also should walk” which means “Paul, his companions and his believing readers ought to make their progress and due use of opportunities” “in newness” or “renewal or a new state” “of life” which refers to “of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate”. Though “Paul, his companions and his believing readers” were “baptized” into Jesus' “death”, they also were “raised up” by “God's glory” so they could “make their way” in a “new state of living”.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see the reason believers in Jesus are “baptized” into Jesus' “death”. Those who are “baptized” also identify with Jesus in His “resurrection” so they might be “raised” to a “new state of life” “by God's glory”. God's plan of “salvation” is for people to “trust and believe” in His Son Jesus Christ, be “baptized” and enjoy a “new life” with Him. Therefore, may all who read these words understand and believe God's great plan of “salvation” for all of mankind.

Next time Paul tells the people in Rome, “we are buried with him by baptism into death ”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.