Devotion for January 22, 2016

Friday: In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires (Romans 6:11-12; NIV).

            The new name given in Baptism reveals the extraordinary change that the Lord works in us through that Sacrament. A new name, a new creation, forgiveness—all tied to Baptism. And in the verse above, we learn that Baptism gives us a new boss, too. (I’ve only cited verses 11-12, but earlier in the chapter, Paul makes it clear that these things happen in Baptism.)

            Think about this: you are no longer a slave to sin. Sure, we Christians still do sin; the sinful nature remains in us all through life. But we are not ruled by sin. It’s not our boss; it’s not our master. In Christ, we are recreated and given a chance for holy living. I think that’s incredibly important. Sometimes I think that Christians think that falling into sin is inevitable, so they don’t put up much of a fight. Paul would have us know that we have received a new birth, a new beginning, a new nature. So, when he calls us to holy living, it’s not an impossible ideal or just so much rhetoric. It’s a calling to live up to the gift already given.