The next passage I want us to look at is from the Message version and it is Romans 6:3-5- That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country
of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace - a new life in a new land! That’s what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus. Each of us is raised into a light-filled world by our Father so that we can see where we’re going in our new grace-sovereign country.

This is a beautiful picture of what baptism represents, as well as declared. Baptism declares that our old life is buried, like Christ’s death and the new life we experience is coming up out of the water, like Jesus’ resurrection.

In relation to our faith journey, our faith journey should declare to those around us resurrection living. That we are living in the new country of grace, the new land of living in a light-filled world. I’m curious, would those around you say that you are living in a light-filled world, grace country or would they say you are still living in the old country of sin? As Paul also says to the church of Corinth, living as a new creation or old creation?

Yes, baptism declares being buried and raised again, but our faith should declare to those around us that we live in new ways. May today be an invitation to live because he lives.

Because He Lives by Matt Maher