By Rev. Junior W. Wimbush, Pastor
Antioch Christian Church (D.O.C.)
We have heard how to become a Christian. Many of us have made the first step and accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. The next step is to learn how to live like a Christian (Christ-like). It is one thing to accept what Christ has done for you; It is another thing to experience it as personal and real. In Romans 6, there are three important points.
Know that Christ died for us.
We died with Christ.
Reckon on This!
Point number 1. Know that Christ died for us. In Isaiah 40:10 you will find these words: Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. This work included the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, the Christ. Christ paid a debt he did not owe for a people who had a debt and could not pay. Verse 11, He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. In other words, he will nurse young ones. He will teach us to live as Christians ought. Jeremiah 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch and a king shall reign and prosper, and execute judgement and justice in the earth. 6. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called the, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Point number 2. We died with Christ. Galatians 2:20. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Again, I say, Christ paid a price for us that we could not pay. He suffered, bled, died and rose again to show us that being a Christian (Christ-like) would not be easy, but as He got up with all power, we, too shall rise again and reign with Him in Heaven.
Point number 3. Reckon on this! Likewise, reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:11). If someone told you that $500 was deposited in the bank for you for a trip and you could draw it out at any time you needed it, you would probably count on it. I feel confident that though you didn’t see the money you would believe it was there. If you should question it and draw it out the money would never be yours. If you reckon it is yours by signing a check and passing it through the bank window, that which has never been seen becomes a reality. Reckoning makes things real. Since we are dead to sin and alive unto God, how shall we live? Yield. The Apostle Paul said, “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God as those that are alive from the dead and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God” (Romans 6:13). This means let go of your life and let God live through you. This is the surrendered life. Let Him work His will in you and through you. The Christian soon finds a new standard for his life. He strives to please the one who dwells within him. Paul said and it is written in the first chapter of the book of Philippians, verse, 21a, “For to me to live is Christ.”
In Romans 6, the secret of a life in Christ is revealed. I am living in Christ. Dead to sin but alive to God! It tells me how I can lead a Christian life. Self, we have learned was a condemned thing, unable to be good, never righteous (Romans 3). Now when self becomes a Christian and tries to live a Christian life, it finds this to be impossible. We are saved by faith, and we cannot live by our own efforts. Dr. Griffith Thomas, an Anglican cleric, once said it is not hard to live a Christian life; it is impossible. The Apostle Paul said it is not I that lives but Christ that lives in me. The next step to learn how to live like a Christian, move self out so that Christ can move in.
