Romans 6:5-11
For if we have been united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be united with him in the likeness of his resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, to make our sinful body powerless, so that we would not continue to serve sin. For the person who has died has been declared free from sin. And since we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that since Christ has been raised from the dead, he will never die again. Death no longer has control over him. For the death he died, he died to sin once and for all, but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way also consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for sending us your Son and Spirit. Jesus died to defeat sin and death; the Holy Spirit gives us the faith to believe this and know we have life. Believing in Jesus means trusting in who He is and what He accomplished. Faith in Jesus links us to Him, His death, and resurrection; we receive the forgiveness of all our sins, salvation, and eternal life. We no longer need to fear death because Jesus defeated it when He rose victoriously from the grave, meaning all our sins that separated us from You have been forgiven; Jesus took them all into Himself on the cross.
Lord, strengthen our faith so we can focus on the love You have shown us and the mercy You have given us. Our sins have been removed, and Jesus has granted us His perfection in their place. He suffered hell for us so we can enjoy heaven. Let our focus always be on the forgiveness of sins and on strengthening our faith through Your Word and sacrament, so that the result will be that we live godly lives out of love for the mercy given to us.
Let us live confidently in our faith, knowing that we have the promise of salvation and eternal life. Help us to overcome ourselves and share this good news of salvation with those who do not know You; please let them trust in Jesus, their Savior, and receive the gift of heaven. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
Sin will still afflict us in this life, but because Jesus has defeated it, it no longer has the power to condemn believers to hell. This gift of salvation is received through faith alone in Jesus, not anything else. Faith embraces this special delivery and is strengthened by God’s Word.