The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Rom. 6:10-11)
So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. (Rom. 7:4)
"Here is a picture of true freedom. You are a death row inmate sitting in the Electric Chair as the final minutes of your life tick by. Just before the switch is puled something happens. You are taken out of the chair and another takes your place! Sounds familiar, doesn't it? But don't stop there. For just before the switch is pulled the person in the chair reaches over, grabs your hand and says, "You can't understand what I am doing right now, but you will learn later!" And the current that rips through his body rips through yours...and you die with him.
"Freedom? I'll admit, it's not a very good altar call, but this is the Gospel! You say, 'NO! I don't remember that!' and you are right, because the whole exchange took place outside our puny concept of reality...
"Listen, Jesus was raised to NEW LIFE, and HE raised us with Him! This New Life has no relation to our sins! Instead, it only relates to GOD! By killing the people we were - who could do nothing but evil - HE raised us to New Life!! NOT the walking death that we have come to think of as life. Don't we know that we have died to sin? Don't we know that we now Live in relation to GOD? Don't we know that this is the meaning of true Freedom?
"Our REAL lives are untouched by sin and law, for we have been taken out of it through the miracle of being joined with Christ in his death and resurrection."
Jim Minker
