God's Dynamite: Resurrection Transformation


Easter is about more than you going to heaven.  That's part of it, but not near all!  It's about your death and resurrection.

In Romans 6, Paul was answering opponents.  Those opponents said that if salvation is by God's grace through faith, then you have no motivation for righteous living and good works.  Why not sin more to get more grace?

Paul answered by using the image of baptism.  He said when the pastor plunged you under water, he symbolized your death in Christ.  Through faith you died on the cross with Jesus.  Your old self was a slave to sin and rebellion against God.  

Paul said when the pastor raised you up from the water, he symbolized your resurrection in Christ.  Not just in the future but in the present.  In faith, you identify with Jesus' death and his resurrection.  You're raised to a new life, free from slavery to sin.

So Easter is about more than personal salvation.  It's about transformation: dying to an old life and rising to a new one.

One of my favorites songs about baptism was written and performed by Kyle Matthews.  It says:

I’ve been through the water and I’ve come out clean
And I’ve got new clothes to cover me.
And you don’t wear your old shoes on your brand new feet.
When you’ve been through the water.

Live in the power of the resurrection and let God transform you into Christ's image!

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