Romans Chapter 6

Romans 6 is an interesting place to go for an explanation of what baptism really means.  Really, the discussion is about sin, a continuation of the discourse on sin and grace from chapter 5.  Note the final words of chapter 5:  "...just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Then as chapter 6 begins, the discussion continues.  "What shall we say, then?  Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?  By no means!  We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?  Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.  If we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection."

There is a figurative relationship established by the physical act of baptism.  That is, by being baptised in the physical act, we are figuratively joining in the death of Jesus.  And just as He was raised from the dead, we are joined with Him in being raised up out of the water.  It is an interesting concept that is carefully detailed in this one place of the New Testament.

But the main point of the whole discussion is that since we Christians have given up the old life of living in sin, we have no right to go back to it, counting on the grace of God to save us.  We know that God wants to save us through His grace.  But the message here is that we shouldn't try to play games with God, keep on sinning, living the life of sin, thinking that He will overlook whatever we do.  Galatians 6:7 says, "Do not be deceived; God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows."

So the warning is clear that we must not try to play games with God.  Some people believe that once a person has been saved, has become a Christian, there is no being lost.  But the Bible surely does not teach that.  He wants to save us, but we must be diligent, diligently seeking Him, and truly trying to serve Him.

Thanks for reading.  I hope you have a great week.  Feel the love.