TODAY’S SCRIPTURE Romans 6:3-12

We have all most likely heard of the story of Sir Isaac Newton getting bonked on the head by a falling apple and subsequently devising his Universal Law of Gravitation. It is likely that we have all also thought, “What took us (humanity) so long to figure that out?” Gravity works. It works constantly, consistently, mercilessly, and without partiality. It always works, and it always works the same way. Its predictability enables us to send submarines to great depths in the seas and to send crafts far into space. Natural law is like that; it is always supposed to work the same.

Then along comes Jesus. Natural law has been in effect since the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:22), the law that says all men would physically die (Hebrews 9:27). According to natural law, Jesus died when subjected to the cruelty of Calvary’s cross; however, He did not stay dead! Natural law is thrown out of the window in order that Jesus might be declared with power to be the Son of God (Romans 1:4). In so doing, God opens the way for eternal life for those who believe upon His Son, making Jesus the “firstfruits” to be raised in His kingdom (1 Corinthians 15:23-24).

Paul says that the Gospel “by which you are saved” is this: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The pattern presented by the death, burial, and resurrection is the pattern by which we can walk in newness of life. We have to crucify the body of sin, be buried with Him in baptism in the likeness of His death, and then be raised with Him in the likeness of His resurrection (Romans 6:3-6). By obeying this pattern or standard (Romans 6:17), the law of sin and death has no more power over us, for God is using His mighty power — the same power He used to raise Jesus from the grave — so that we might know hope (Ephesians 1:18-19), not physical victory but spiritual. Because God raised His Son, we have hope if we have been raised with Him in baptism.

Today, I will…walk in the hope that comes from knowing God’s power and grace, thank Him for raising His Son for me, and be secure by obedience to the standard of His glorious Gospel.