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Paul, writing to the Colossian church stated that, ìye are dead.î Col. 3:3 He was not accusing them of being a spiritually dead church but rather evaluating their spiritual status in Christ. In all actuality, this was a good thing and greatly beneficial. It indicated that they were following the proper spiritual blueprint in building their spiritual life. There are definite, necessary and well defined steps which are to be followed if we are to attain unto the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. A goal toward which Paul was urgently pressing. Phil. 3:14 Having been born of the Word and the Spirit, the next step is identification with Christ in His death. An accomplishment which leads one to the waters of baptism. Water baptism is meant to be a burial service for the old man, the old life, the life of sin. As we are to be crucified with Him we are also to be buried with Him. He has led the way and established the example which we are to follow. Rom. 6:3.
Death is never a pleasant subject. However, in this case it is the door to an ever expanding spiritual life. As a matter of fact, there can be no meaningful spiritual life unless the example established for us by the Lord Jesus be followed. The grave, the waters of baptism, open up a vast vista of spiritual blessings and benefits which may be enjoyed to the full. Not only is there crucifixion with Him, there is also burial with Him, which leads us to resurrection life with Him. All the virtues of that new life in Christ are available to those who experience this spiritual springing to life. They are risen with Christ. Col. 3:1 They walk in newness of life. Rom. 6:4-5.
In that new life in Christ there are definite, positive, outward signs of the process at work. The whole spiritual procedure is to free the person from the affections and lusts of this present world. This life with Christ is one of liberty from the servitude of the desires of the flesh and of sin. Rom. 6:6 Having completed the basic works of salvation, we are now privileged to live with Him. Rom. 6:8 Those who are truly born of the Spirit are, ìin Christ Jesus.î His life is now made manifest in them. All things be come new, that which is the old life, the old man, will pass away. When Christ is made welcome and dwells within, that new life is motivated by the power of the Lord. He lives His life in us. 2 Cor. 5:17 This proves to be a matter of life or death. Life if we serve the Lord Jesus and death if we serve the god of this world and our own fleshly desires. The exhortation of the scriptures is to bring the works of the flesh into subjection, to completely eradicate them and make certain that they are replaced with the life which is found in the Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. 8:13.