It’s All About New Life
Romans 6:1-23
“Move that bus!” These words are familiar to the many fans of ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition. For more than eight seasons, this television show has helped deserving people tear down a dangerous and dilapidated home so that a beautiful and functional home can take its place. When the bus moves away and the owners see their new home, they, along with the millions watching, are blown away by the transformation they see before them.
In Romans 6, Paul focuses on the transformation that happens when we experience a gospel makeover. When we encounter the grace of God and receive all that Jesus has done to make us right with God, we will never be the same.
Living a new identity: Paul understood that when some people are presented with the good news of a gospel of grace, they may wonder if it provides a license to continue living in sin. Paul’s response? Absolutely not (v. 2). He then uses baptism to illustrate his point.
Baptism is a wonderful picture of Jesus’ death and resurrection but also of our new identity in Christ. Just as Jesus died on the cross to bury the curse of sin, those who trust in him are freed from the slavery of sin. And as Christ rose to new life, we rise from the waters of baptism to walk in a new life. As we realize all that Jesus has done for us, we desire to leave our old ways of living and embrace a new life anchored in following him.
Living with Christ: Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “Some people are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.” Surely, we should look forward to the day when we live eternally with the Lord and all his saints in heaven, but we also must recognize that we can be joined with Christ now. We don’t have to wait to live with Christ. He lives in the heart of everyone who is joined with him by faith.
Living as God wants: What is our motivation for living? Is it popularity, power, possessions or pride? Paul urges everyone who has been saved by God’s grace to live with purpose. In Romans 6:12-14, he calls us to live for the glory of God – to let go of sinful pursuits and to give our lives to the Lord as instruments of his righteousness.
Living for a new Lord: Paul sums up Romans 6 with a verse everyone should commit to memory – “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (v. 23). This is the gospel. Our Lord has provided us a precious gift. May our lives reflect our appreciation for this gift – living a gospel makeover!
Owens– Lessons in the ETB series for the fall quarter are being written by Ken Owens, director of the collegiate ministry group for the South Carolina Baptist Convention.