Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

 All Things New:

 

            Walk in newness of life:  

 

Romans 6:3-8

3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?

4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,

6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;

7 for he who has died is freed from sin.

8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,

 

            Some people believe that baptism is just an outward sign of an inward change. Others believe it’s more than that. Some believe you must be baptized in a certain manner; others using a certain word formula. We’re not going to get into that. We’re assuming that each of us has been properly baptized (whatever that means).

            The old man is dead and buried. We shouldn’t keep digging him up to see if he’s come back to life. In other words, we shouldn’t still be acting like we did before we made Jesus Lord of our lives. We should be walking in this newness of life, not death. Our old man was crucified when He was crucified. We shouldn’t keep doing the same things we did before. We are no longer slaves to sin. That doesn’t mean we never sin once becoming Christians. It means that sin is no longer the boss.

            In verse 5 it says that we shall also be united with Him in the likeness of His resurrection. What was accomplished in Him through His death and resurrection is and will be accomplished in us.

 

If you could hear God speak, I believe this is what He would say:

            "My children, I did not save you so that you could continue to walk in the same way that you have all your life. I saved you that you might be an example to others around you … that they might want what you have. I saved you that you should walk like I walked when I was on the earth. I do not want you to be like the people of the world. I want them to be like you. You are to be an example unto them so that they will know that I care about My people and I care about them. I want you to become salt in the earth that others may thirst for Me. You are to be like I am, not like they are. So commit yourself to Me that you walk even as I walked. Then others will want to become like you and to know Me.”

 

            60. Because of all that He has done for me, I am able to walk in newness of life and not in the former way of death.

For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,

 Peace:

             Life and peace with God:  

 

Ephesians 2:14-15

14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,

15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,

 

Romans 5:1

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

 

Romans 8:6

6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,

 

            These verses talk about peace. The first one talks about peace with our Jewish brethren. We were on the outside looking in. The Gentiles didn’t really want what the Jews had. This “Law” business just put a big bite in their humanistic, “you only have one life to live, so who cares about your neighbor” philosophy. We could do what we wanted with no consequences; or so we thought. That was o.k. with the Jews. They didn’t want us either. There was a wall greater than the Great Wall of China between us. Then Jesus came along and fulfilled the Law for all of us … Jew and Gentile. Now we are both one in Him. There is no more enmity.

            Because of what Jesus did, we also have peace with God. We deserved His wrath, but we get His blessings. This is all because of Jesus.

            Then of course, there is the peace of God. Peace with God means we’re no longer at odds with Him. The peace of God means that in any situation no matter how horrible it may look, we can have peace that passes all understanding. People will be amazed that we’re not running around like a chicken with our heads cut off. We have peace, because even though we don’t know what the future holds, we do know who holds our future and are confident that He will keep what we’ve entrusted to Him till that Day.

            How do we obtain that peace of God? The third verse tells us that we have to set our minds on the Holy Spirit. He will guide and direct us into the path we should take. As a result, we have life and peace in all circumstances. Praise God!

 

If you could hear God speak, I believe this is what He would say:

            "There is nothing that stands between us. You have been made righteous in My sight through the death of My Son. You have been made perfect in Him. It is through Him that you can come boldly into My presence without fear. I will show you the way to accomplish all that I have planned for you. You do not have to fear Me, for you are My special child. My children can come boldly into My presence without fear. You may talk with Me or you may simply bask in My presence. I have only good planned for you, not ill. You may rest in My presence; for I am your Father and you are My child. There is nothing to fear in Me.”

 

            59. He is my peace and I have life and peace with God.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,

 Beyond all we ask or think:  

Ephesians 3:20

20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,

 

            What do you want in life? Don’t hesitate! Ask as big as you can possibly think. That still doesn’t even get started with how much God is able to do for us. There isn’t an adjective “big” enough to describe what His power has the ability to do. And guess what? That power is the same power that works within us! The power that created the universe resides within us and is available to help us in time of need. We just need to learn how to tap in on that power. Then all our needs will be met.

 

If you could hear God speak, I believe this is what He would say:

            "My children, you have but to ask Me of whatever you should desire. Make it as big as you can or as small as you can. There is nothing that is too difficult for Me, nor anything that I would withhold from you. Nothing shall be impossible for you when you ask Me according to My will. Nothing is so small that I would not be interested in doing it for you. Trust in Me that I will do only what is good for you. I will never do anything that is harmful to you. You can trust Me to do all that is necessary for you; for I will fulfill all that I have planned for you. This power does not come from some faraway place, but from within you; for the power that raised My Son from the grave resides in you.”

 

            58. He is able to do beyond all that I could ever ask or think of Him.

 

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.

 Supply and multiply your seed for sowing:

 2 Corinthians 9:10-11

10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;

11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.

 

            These verses are applied by numerous people to giving money. When you liken giving money to ministries of God, you are planting seeds. These seeds will sprout and multiply, giving many seeds in return. Since you reap the same kind of thing that you plant, you reap money “seeds”.

            This can very well be true. However, be careful of those encouraging you to give into their ministries. They may simply be using this to reap your seeds for themselves. Then your seeds can’t grow for you because they plowed them up for their own use (not necessarily for what God intended).

            On the other hand, don’t completely disregard that analogy because it is true at times. Be open to God’s directions, not man’s, and you will be fine. Some people are simply looking for an excuse not to give. Don’t worry; they won’t reap anything of note.

            Do you not have anything to sow? God is the One who will supply the seed to sow. He will give you the opportunity to plant seeds. He too is the One who will do the multiplying.

            These don’t have to be money seeds. They can be seeds of time or effort. You will also reap when sowing those types of seeds. God will increase the harvest of your righteousness. It could be that you sow one type of seed, but God causes you to reap a different type of harvest. Besides, it says that you will be enriched in everything. God will take care of all your needs as you take care of His peoples’ needs; including money needs.

           

If you could hear God speak, I believe this is what He would say:

            "You do not think that I want My children to live in poverty, do you? I don’t want them to live in poverty whether financially or spiritually. I want My children to abound in all things. I have not decreed a life of poverty for My children. I have decreed a life of abundance for them so that they can bless others. As people see how I bless you, then they will want to come unto Me so that I may bless them also. There is nothing that I would withhold from you. I only want the best. Allow Me to bless you abundantly in the spiritual and in the earthly.”

 

            57. God will supply me with seed for sowing. He will also multiply that seed and give me a great harvest of righteousness.