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The Apostle Paul links together the ideas of sin, death, and our identification with Jesus' death and resurrection in Romans 6:1-14. “Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more kindness and forgiveness? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Or have you forgotten that when we became Christians and were baptized to become one with Christ Jesus, we died with Him? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Since we have been united with Him in His death, we will also be raised as He was. Our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also share His new life. We are sure of this because Christ rose from the dead, and He will never die again. Death no longer has any power over Him. He died once to defeat sin, and now He lives for the glory of God. So you should consider yourselves dead to sin and able to live for the glory of God through Christ Jesus. Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to its lustful desires. Do not let any part of your body become a tool of wickedness, to be used for sinning. Instead, give yourselves completely to God since you have been given new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you are no longer subject to the law, which enslaves you to sin. Instead, you are free by God's grace.”Through our Lord Jesus Christ, this defeat of death is only possible for those who live through our Lord Jesus Christ. For others, their resurrection and eternal life, is one of damnation. If you are an unbeliever, death is not a friend, it is an enemy, but for the believer it is ultimately our friend.
In First Corinthians 15:50-53, Paul speaks of the need for our resurrection. “What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These perishable bodies of ours are not able to live forever. But let me tell you a wonderful secret God has revealed to us. Not all of us will die, but we will all be transformed. For when the trumpet sounds, the Christians who have died will be raised with transformed bodies. And then we who are living will be transformed so that we will never die. For our perishable earthly bodies must be transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die.”
Paul is saying material things, as they now are, can not inherit the kingdom of God. Our bodies will be like that of Jesus Christ, a new material body.
Luke 24:36-43 says: “And just as they were telling about it, Jesus Himself was suddenly standing there among them. He said, "Peace be with you." But the whole group was terribly frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! "Why are you frightened?" He asked. "Why do you doubt who I am? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it's really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don't have bodies, as you see that I do!" As He spoke, He held out His hands for them to see, and He showed them His feet. Still they stood there doubting, filled with joy and wonder. Then He asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and He ate it as they watched."
Christians are to try and live in such a way as to keep from living a life style of sin. Those who live as Christian will never die. Those who do not, will not.
These articles may be used for any legitimate purpose - As long as the original meanings are not altered
Dolan Springs Baptist Church
Pastor Daniel Klahn
P.O. Box 637
Pierce Ferry Rd
Dolan Springs, AZ 86441
(928) 767-3050 Pastor Dan