My Identity in Christ

Last Sunday we learned that authentic followers of Jesus Christ are called to live holy lives you find that message connecting. I must confess I did. How can we live a holy life in such an unholy world is it even possible. Our world is very unholy very imputed. We are followers of Jesus Christ live in that world.

Romans chapter 678 are central passages to understand the spiritual life, to understand this great subject of sanctification that is our holiness, and Paul wants us to know who we are in Christ. He wants us to understand our identity in this was going to discover this morning is so important, that is, we must know what God has done for us knowledge in the Christian life is essential if you base your spiritual life you base your spiritual life on your emotions are your feelings on your ideas on your opinions you will make. I guarantee foolish salvation and the even sinful decisions.

You will also be very easily manipulated by others on a purely emotional basis and so Paul's pattern as were discovering here in Romans is first doctrine doctrine. First, the foundation first before the exhortation that is the indicative of all the imperative truth has to be understood and is to be grappled with sometimes is not easy to understand what the Scriptures are saying on a particular subject, and so we must study and we must ask God to help us and we come back time and time again after the central passages such as Romans six, seven and eight that we've been learning about the grace of God. This a binding grace yes is grace which does astonish us this grace, which is greater than our sense and as we saw last week, this grace that God gives us because we are saved by grace through faith and that not of yourselves, this grace doesn't leave us where we were at this grace central understanding of this grace does not lead us to sin more both sides of the end of Romans chapter 5, so that sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord, and he says in the preceding verse square sin increase, grace abounded all the more so what we can say to that. Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound importing from Romans six, verse one, verse two, by no means here's a statement of rhetorical question, how can we who died to sin still live in it. Of course not, and I fall in the section really cut this morning.

Romans chapter 6 verses three through 11. He wants us to know and he wants us to understand out. I entity in Christ we hear of people having identity crisis for the Christian is no need to have an identity crisis.

General follower of Jesus Christ. Paul is going to make a remarkable statement in verse 11 of Romans chapter 6 he says this so you also must consider yourself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus understand that if you're a true follower of Jesus Christ, you are set free from the power of sin and you are alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Romans six verse 11. Romans six revolves around three key words. The first two were going to think of this morning and then Lord willing, will think two weeks from now. On the third word the three words are first no second, consider sometimes translated racking accounts and then the third word is to present Dr. photo to you know. Consider present. This is a magnificent chapter Romans chapter 6 can I say is one of the most important chapters in all of the Bible certainly as it relates to our sanctification. What does it mean to grow in Christ.

What does it mean to live a holy life, you must understand Romans chapter 6 and today were going to focus on the first two words no and considered, but let's send and read our passage Romans chapter 6 verses three through 11.

The screen prevents me from reading at their partially without read from the text and hope what I'm reading is also on the screen. Romans six verse three read with me. Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in the resurrection like his. We know that all self was crucified with him in order that the body of Satan might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin for one who has died has been set free from sin no. If we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again. There is no longer has dominion over him for the day he died.

He died to sin once for all, but the life he lives, he lives to God so you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus, and presented in a magnificent passage you say and I don't know if I understand it all, I want to tell you right away. I don't understand it all, and I mentally preaching.

It but there it is. It is a passage well worth studying, memorizing, meditating on a great passage on our sanctification. The first of all, Paul is saying very clearly in verses three through six. Know that you are united with Christ in his death and resurrection. Know that you are united with Christ in his death and resurrection union with Christ. This concept of union with Christ little difficult for us to understand. But Paul's going to explain it, you'll grasp it this morning. A pitiless slang union with Christ is the foundation of the believer sanctification union with Christ followers of Jesus. Think of this are united with Christ in his that in his burial, and in his resurrection I think of it your belief that salvation is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ being a Christian in the true sense in the biblical sense is not just believing about Christ is not just trying to imitate the life of Christ is not just trying to understand the teaching of Christ. It's more than that at the very core to be a Christian is to have a bite so living and growing relationship with a comparison of Jesus Christ, the true, this Christ who died for our sins. This Christ. He was buried this Christ to rose again and is eternally alive as Paul is presenting this Christ is not just someone to know about its it is to know and then the New Testament believing having faith believing is not just believing, then abide Christ but is believing in all the New Testament writers often say believing into Christ crap that doesn't make much sense in noting what is what Jesus himself said or John of his recording the words of Jesus in John chapter 3 verse 36 well-known verse. Whoever believes in the son has eternal life, but John uses the preposition in John 336 whoever believes into little getting what ice whoever believes into Christ has eternal life to get this is a believing into the person of Christ I can believe many things about Jesus and I should believe many things about them, that's not true salvation. Salvation is a faith into the person of Jesus Christ and now I am united with my Lord Jesus Christ, and that union that unites thing is and of our civil this is the great hope of the gospel that we share in his eternal life, grasp this, we share in the very life of Christ as we are united with the living Christ. Paula said beautifully. Here in verse seven.

Grasp it all in.

Rather, in verse nine we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again while he died. Once on the cross. Never die again and no my faith is in Christ, I have believed in Christ and I receive as a gift of his grace. This eternal resurrected living life and I will never ever again spiritually because I am united with my Lord Jesus Christ my Paul says you need to know this.

You need to know your identity.

Look at verse three. Yes, the question do you not know meaning. Romans, you really should know this. Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into theirs are born-again preposition into Christ Jesus were baptized into his dad. Verse six we know that our old self was crucified with him. Verse nine, we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again � no longer has dominion over him asking of these things that you know.

Did you know that there must be a new thinking. This is the very foundation of your spiritual life. We believe into Christ. We are united into Christ united with Christ in his dad and his burial, and in his glorious resurrection, and we must know these things that when Christ died, I died with him when he was buried.

I was buried with him and when he rose from the dead. I was raised with him is what Paul says at the end of verse four that we too might walk in newness of life. Do you believe that Jesus was raised from the dead wall in the church is this is a lie.

I thought it was a rhetorical question that wasn't do you believe that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. Yes, a man that is central to our way. But did you know that because you are united with him. If you're a true follower of Jesus Christ, that you share in this new life. There's a resurrection life this eternal life.

Paul is saying that so that we choose. We also will walk in newness of life is my wonderful life of Christ.

Paul says in Galatians 2, verse 20 about the Christian life is that is not me. It is Christ who lives in me so long that I live but it is Christ who lives in me to think think about that this week that Jesus Christ, the one who conquered sin and death and the devil who is alive that he lives in us and this newness of life is a Windows that occurred and occurs of the moment you receive Christ as your Savior and you are to know your identity in Christ problem I think so often is that we always want to be doing doing doing doing. And of course there are things we must do.

We must serve the Lord. That is true that many things that we must do. Sometimes I think that overtakes us.

We think of the Christian life of what to do if someone says to me as I go, I will what what� Do on Monday morning.

On Monday morning you get up when you think will really know. I need some practical pointers.

Give me a few tips to help me through this week me a few pointers for my mileage. Well that's okay that the place for that. But Paul is dealing with something much more foundational than giving you a few practical tips to steer you through life before we before theirs are doing. There must be a knowing, think about does not give you security if you don't understand who you are.

Think of it, even on the non-spiritual sense are people in life who are secure. Our society is riddled with insecurity. People are insecure personally very secure in their marriage insecure at work. The nation will insecure.

If you are secured you know you are that gives you confidence doesn't that means in the varied circumstances of life.

You don't fall apart too quickly because you know who you are probably saying I want you who have experienced this abundant grace I want you to know who you are united with Christ is that his burial and in his resurrection.

You are in Christ. When the Paul's most favorite expressions to describe the believer, was a true believer regarding Nepal one who is in Christ capture security. Doesn't that so the storms of life, and you get on falls apart so much and not just looking for a few practical pointers. The very foundation of your life is secured because it is based on Christ your united with Christ. Paul talks introduces here my baptism.

I believe he's talking about water baptism. We really us churches. People get very upset with different teaching about baptism but really is not that difficult if you follow what the New Testament says, what does the word baptism mean well, it's a transliteration of the Greek, but did so with the sword mean that means three matters it was using classical Greek for an individual who is driving for someone who's taking a piece of cloth and putting it in diets.

Being embarrassed is used of a ship that's about to go under water baptism is an emotion and it is a visual sign on wonderful sign of the believer's union with Jesus Christ and his dad in his burial, and in his resurrection under the first century as we read the Scriptures. Normally, it appears that the dates of your conversion was also the date of your baptism. Paul is saying that the believer has been baptized into Christ that personally do not know, but all of us to remain baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his dad. We would buried therefore with him by baptism into death, the northern that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the father, we too might walk in newness of life. Wonderful dead with Christ. With Christ you know baptism. In that sense is a kind of funeral services number. There's the old life was what I was in Adam.

The old self, the old man. What I know in Christ. If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation the old has passed away, buried with him and the new has come. Being raised to walk in newness of life.

Don't know baptism doesn't save us.

Don't confuse the symbol with the reality.

Baptism doesn't save us. Baptism doesn't wash away your sins, you will become a Christian by being baptized but baptism does demonstrate out identification with Christ that we are united with Christ.

So I baptism is not so much about us as it is about Christ, on whom our faith depends he died for my sins. He was buried. He rose for my justification and now I am identified with him and that is symbolized by my baptism you enjoying the World Cup soccer a few it's only the world's biggest sporting events and RLL out of the lot of attention has gone into the uniforms or strips are all our jerseys of the Venice things and that some of them out on the screen. The different strips. Can you imagine the great probably with private if you were representing your country in your case, the United States, or if you're a Russian putting on the Russian short of or if your Brazilian printing on the Brazilian church, or if your English putting on the English shirt or the Japanese think of the pride but one of the worst things that the Kylie could show to your and cards can be very insulting when it comes to Sokoto not playing well is you are not fit to wear that shirt players on the field representing this country and according to the cloud is not playing very well and they're saying you're not fit to wear that shirt nursing not fit to represent your country are playing so badly that succumbed about the worst insult you could give to players in the uniform is the Lord Jesus both going to say Romans chapter 13 futon the Lord Jesus Christ's. When I got baptized. I'm saying I am wearing the uniform of my Lord Jesus Christ, and that when you look at John Monroe.

The most important thing about John Monroe is that he belongs to Jesus Christ. He represents Jesus Christ because I have died with Christ, had been buried with Christ are being raised with Christ. Baptism is that the uniform is aware of the authentic follower of Jesus Christ.

And I'm proud to wear it because now we belong to Christ. This is my identity who are you we meet people were traveling on a playing or is meeting people they want to to get to know us and they usually asked the questions what do you do give your mind a twitter you're from, and all of that and and so we go on but I want to say and I look for an opportunity soon as I can hear the most important thing for me is the is that now that I'm a pastor. Not that I'm married, not I'm a grandfather now that I was brought up in Scotland know that I'm the pastor of Calvary church. The most important thing about me is on the following of Jesus that is the foundation of my life.

That is my identity. I belong to Christ. And if you are a follower of Jesus Christ. You don't belong to yourself number the him I am his and he is my eternally united to our Lord Jesus Christ and is essential that we understand our spiritual identity.

This means that we need to think deeply about this. United with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection, and all that Christ has done for you becomes yours.

We are no longer who we once were.

That is been a basic change of fundamental change.

As Paul is going to say. Once we were in Adam no, we are in Christ united with Christ. Now here's the point with me on this through our union with Christ, we participate in his holiness you want to live a holy life. Dona is partly why you you come to church like Calvary church you take seriously the Christian life you want your life are to be different difference in your home and your marriage in all of life will. Here's a point through our union with Christ, we participate in his holiness the only adequate resource you have for living the Christian life is Jesus Christ is often said the Christian life is not a difficult life is an impossible one. That is, you discovered this as I've discovered that it is impossible to live the Christian life by your own resources by your own strength your own understanding. You don't get very far.

Do you you think you can live as you like and you can work on things on your own know you will never ever live the Christian life in your own strength. We don't have to were not required to, because into a world of sin in the darkness and of holiness, God and his grace is a wonderful thing he sends from heaven. His son, God the son into this world and he lived in the same world as we live all different cultures different language understand that, but lived on the same planet and he was the only perfectly holy one. Everything he did, pleased his father.

He perfectly fulfilled the law.

He made it honorable every word that he spoke was perfect. Every thought that he thought was a holy thought he lived a life of complete obedience to the law of God and of the difference with us to give our thoughts think of our actions. Think of our words. Think of our deeds go on the holy. What a contrast besides Paul understand this, you through the grace of cards and being justified by faith. You are no United with a holy Lord Jesus Christ so that his holiness is now your holiness. We are in Christ and he is in us. He is holy and he now is our holiness and our sanctification. You see will not only justify done redeemed by Christ, but he has also become to us are sanctification is am not too sure about will turnover you don't believe me, believe the apostle Paul Donovan a few pages to first Corinthians 1st Corinthians chapter 1 Romans next book 1st Corinthians taken note of this verse. First Corinthians 1 verse 30. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made the wisdom and the righteousness and sanctification. Holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, let the one who boasts boast in the Lord is wonderful that Jesus Christ is our justifier and he is also our sanctifier. All of the resources of Christ in my mind why because I am united with my Lord Jesus Christ, so in the Christian life role on the riches of God's grace which will sanctify you, which will strengthen you, which will sustain you and all of the circumstances of life.

Singular Ferguson rights by God's gracious design that is provided. The living deposit of his sanctified life, from which all of our needs can be supplied. That wonderful the living deposit. Christ is alive of his sanctified life.

I am unrighteous.

What did we learn the justification just that there's a declaration of not guilty. No, we learned that in our justification that is in our salvation not only is the valve did not guilty.

It is much, much better than that.

It is righteous righteous that the righteousness of my Lord Jesus Christ is not imputed is not put to my account and so draw when you do this draw on Christ's resources, which are best deposited as it were in your name and your bank. All you need is found in Christ. You need strength, its funding Christ.

Wisdom is your wisdom, your consciousness of your struggle to be holy Christ is our sign vacation. Why because we are in Christ to get this the Christian life is not you living apart from Christ I just occasionally coming to Christ and asking him for help. What you would do a friend or you would do to your grandfather or someone you come occasionally to that's not the picture. Tall, it is a constant, dynamic, permanent and irreversible union with the living Christ was and when I got married to my bright good knee but she was penniless which is pretty close to the truth. In fact, I thought you maybe had some shares in Pharaoh's Fisher something that she was skipping for the rainy day but with a new day has never associated didn't bring much in terms of finances to the table with my monitor and supposing I was well that I wasn't wealthy, but by contemporary standards are the little money saved. I had worked hard and the so she's penniless and I'm wealthy but once we were married, what happened all that I had becomes her so we have a joint bank account if I have a credit card in my name. It's also in her name. Everything that I have is hers and she can draw on it as she does is why when I both planet was not really ever think about that one, but you get the point.

Both the sake of argument on the multimillionaire and my wife is penniless moment were mounted where no United's what one flash. Everything that I have is not hers and she can draw on it because I trust her. And it's there for her good point when you're united with Christ. All that is Christ's is no universe boastfulness in Romans eight that you are heirs with God you joint heirs with Jesus Christ. This is my incredible and identity. I am in Christ united with Christ and his dad in his burial and his resurrection and Paul in the spirit of God want you to know that mother something to consider.

First, something to know. Secondly, something to consider and this is the very heart of sanctification. Consider know your identity not consider this consider that you're not dead to sin and alive to God versus seven through 11 of Romans chapter 6 this work consider appears in verse 11.

So you also must consider question.

Consider yourself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. This is the second set to consider directing that the current bookkeeping term. It was used on a card to consider the kind something as true which in fact is true know this is not a matter of your feelings. But knowing and considering what is true of you. Christ's resurrection demonstrated his victory over sin. Now you are united with Christ in his resurrection so that you yes you have victory over your sin.

Verse two. How can we who died to sin still live in, you are dead to sin. Consider this is truth have an attitude of faith hereunder. Victory side during Christ, because not only did Christ die for our sins, he died to sin. The deal is that in verse 10 for the death he died, referring to her Lord. He died to sin once for all, but the life he lives, he lives to God that most of us are familiar with the concept of Christ dying for our sins, he is our substitute.

I deserve to die on the cross for my sins which were many, but Christ is common lava didn't brace through no matter the mine and he takes my place is my substitute is winded for me.

He dies on the cross for the sins of John Monroe. He dies for me that is the gospel isn't the eye but not only did Christ die for sin. He also died to sin. What does that mean he died to sin in the sense he conquered sin, he was victorious over sin is not true. He demonstrated that Satan had no claim on him.

He was victorious over Satan. He died to sin. He conquered sin because Christ died to sin. You frantic followers of Jesus Christ who are united with Christ. You two have died to sin. And that's exactly what Paul says in verse two. Paul doesn't say you are dying to sin.

But you died past and she died to sin is not something you do about something which is has already been done. It's a fact, not by faith, consider it and believe it if you died to sin that you did, how can you continue to live on that live in it that doesn't make sense does it. Paul is not saying that union with Christ results in the Christian being set free from the power of Satan and made alive to God, Christ died for sin and so frees us from the guilt of sin, Christ died to sin, and so frees us from the what power of sin do notice that he dies for sin, he frees us from the guilt of sin.

The wages of sin is that Christ has paid the price on free.

Never again do I have to face my sin and free from the guilt from the penalty of sin, but Christ died to sin and that frees me from the power of sin in my life when Christ died he broke the power of sin, and he died to sin. At this we are united with Christ. This Christ who breaks the part of sin. This means that the power and the mastery and the tyranny and the dominion of sin in our life is broken when we place our trust in Christ but don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying that sin is eradicated in the life of the believer. Absolutely not. Sin is alive but I am dead to do. I still feel the pressure of sin. Yes, sin is alive but it's power over us is broken. I am no longer its slave than we saying Wesley grasp this truth in their opening hymn over a thousand tongues to sing to get the verse he breaks what the power of canceled sin, he sets the prisoner free. That's what our Lord Jesus Christ does not only freeing us from the guilt and the consequences of the penalty over Satan, but he frees us and liberates us from the chains on the power of sin is what Paul says in verse six we know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we wooed no longer be enslaved to sin, that it is the body of sin, supportive sin, the body dominated by sin. This body is not evil by itself, but sin uses my body to accomplish its sinful purposes and not through union with Christ. This is rendered ineffective, it no longer has power over as Paul says it has been brought to nothing. It is no longer our master out old self. Some translations, the old man in verse six is what we were before we were saved is what we where in Adam. Remember Romans five what we where in Adam sin � condemnation. Now what we are in Christ justification eternal life, freedom, forgiveness, you're no longer in item you're not in Christ. The body of sin then is referring to an old nature is a word that would in the New World were in Christ, we are no longer slaves to sin. Though this verse 741 who has died has been set free from sin. Sin is not dead to me. I am very aware of sin, but I am to consider myself dead to sin.

Now here we are. This is remarkable. Here we are. Romans chapter 6. Looking at verse 11. Would Paul says so you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Do you realize all of what Paul has said up to this point. This is the first thing he asks you to do first thing he asked us to do you think this is the point he's he's laying a foundation of sin and of justification on the wonderful work of our Savior in this a binding grace and our union with him and now he says for the first time. This is what I want you to do. Romans I want you to consider yourself. I want you tell the church to do this I want you to consider yourself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus is doesn't mean that you are immune to sin doesn't mean that you won't be tempted to return to your own life in Adam. It certainly doesn't mean that sin in your life is eradicated, but it does mean that you are free from the bondage and the authority of sin.

Sin is no longer your master, you're not free no longer living in the realm and the of the tyranny of sin, we have changed kingdoms.

There's a change of power. There's a change of authority, Paul says at the end of Romans chapter 5 he talks about saying anything we know about that for the unbeliever. When we went outside of Christ. Sin was arcane same sin was on master sin dominated our lives are but now no longer dead to sin and a different master is a different rain. A different kingdom. No sin is no longer king in your life. Grace rains this is your identity in Christ. Let me illustrate this way a few days ago I was in Scotland visiting my mother's mind. If you know when I arrived at the airport I ran to the car not getting as I was getting the car and that the young lady was asking what type of car, and so on. Just for my license for my identification and so I gave her my north Carolina license and then she says, but you cannot, you're not American. Are you and how was I to answer that question got mixed up identity. I don't know who I am.

I said well I said I'm originally from, signs up. She says well then you'll be able to use the shift Americans just like automatics appointment than before. I said yes I can drive a car with her with the gearshift and so that I get my car I jump in the put it into first and drive off. But on the window is in the 50s is a wonderful temperature and it is and I drive off I come to one of these wee roundabouts that some of you when you're driving in the United Kingdom. Wonder what to do what we did go you don't go right. You go left because of the United Kingdom we drive on the left-hand side of the road as I was. I was very comfortable drive on the left-hand side with a car with a shift with the window dine and I'm feeling life is pretty good and that I am. And when I'm in Scotland. I have to obey the laws of Scotland and that means but I like it or not and I survived. I do like it, but when I like it or not makes no difference if the drive on the left-hand side. The problem is in the longer in Scotland and in the United States and there are different laws here. One of the laws of the United States is this, I shall not drive on the left-hand side of the road.

I don't know who came up with that but if you're in politics. Maybe you can try and change it see to drive on the left-hand side in the United States is against the law of the country. My supposing as if I'm leaving our campus this morning, I jumped jump in my car, drive to the parking lot and come to railroads and instead of going driving on the right hand side of the road. I think this'll be fun to be people are going to think this is funny to go on the left-hand side I like Dragon on the left-hand side I'm comfortable driving on the left-hand side.

Well, one is against the law.

Secondly, to drive on the left-hand side of the road on the railroad or any of the road. The United States is putting myself at great risk, and everyone else using the road so there are later.

There's going to be an accident. Sooner or later someone is going to get hurt.

Possibly my self because now in the United States. I'm under a different master.

I left under Uncle Sam. I have a new ruler.

I'm in a different kingdom. I'm in a different domain and could I choose to drive in the left-hand side. Yes, I could after foolishness bringing disaster for myself and others. Here you are as a follower of Jesus Christ once you lived in Adam and let's face it, you enjoyed some of the sentence and some of them make you feel pretty comfortable from time to time. Satan whispers in your ear and tries to get you to go back to that old lifestyle that they do that is not true.

Paul is saying Tomko pack pack your under a different master you been transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's beloved son as he says in Colossians chapter 1, things are different now you are in Christ. You are under his reign.

Why would you go back to the old master the old tyranny. Why would you do that if you died to sin. How can you continue to live in that sin as it what has been unplugged in your life. Don't plug it back in. Don't do that you can't go on living in sin. Consider policy here in verse 11.

Consider your note that to sin and alive to God sends rain as a tyrant, is sin. The tough master was ever support has cinnamon done for you some short-term gain some short-term pleasure. Yes, I concede that, but said is a harsh tyrant. The devil is a terrible master. He will give you the best now and he'll temperature and will say this is nice, but the more you pursue it more you pursue this send the farther than further you go down and things you never contemplated come into your life and you find your life is now and a mask and Paul is saying listen, think of this. You been saved by the grace of God. God's grace is come into your life. Your United with the holy Lord Jesus Christ, and he has broken the power of sin in your life. All of the holiness. All of the strength you need, you can draw on Christ. Yes it is true you can choose to go back.

You can choose to go back to the comfort of sin, but as Paul is going to say so wonderfully in verse 14 for sin will have no dominion over you since you're not under law but under grace with the adoption of the 13th amendment of the United States Constitution. Slavery was finally legally abolished. However, I'm told, many of the slaves in the South who were legally freed continued to live on as slaves, as though nothing had happened in the context of hard and freedom. Some slaves continue to live as slaves and masters were quite happy for them to think that and to act like that people were free but they still thought of themselves as slaves.

They identified themselves as slave and the actor then lived as if there were slaves side brothers and sisters in Christ, you are no longer slaves to sin no alive to God. Act consider your union with Christ that you have been freed from the power of sin in your life. Verse 11 so you also must consider yourself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus will even act on it appropriate. United me out enemy once the drag is back to the slavery of sin. Don't go back to the old life united with Christ in his dad and his burial in his glorious resurrection.

This is your identity.

Never forget it limits live the life of grace live a life of freedom.

Their father help us because were very conscious of the whispers of our enemy who wants to enslave us again. We think of the words of our Savior. You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. Father I pray that those who had authentic followers of Christ will consider themselves dead to sin and alive to God.

Some here have never yet come to Christ. We don't know the joy of freedom that comes from sins forgiven and receiving this new life. I pray that you will open their eyes that they will see Christ that they receive him as their Savior and help us. We do pray with thank you for this magnificent salvation which we have.

May we draw on it day by day in Christ's name.

Amen