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Pastor Wade Burleson
CSI: Calvary's Salvation Investigated
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Romans 6:5-11 (KJV)
- For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the
likeness of his resurrection:
- Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be
destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
- For he that is dead is freed from sin.
- Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
- Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more
dominion over him.
- For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
- Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
CSI: Calvary's Salvation Investigated
Romans 6:5-11
In the popular show titled CSI, Crime Scene Investigators examine all details and facts of
a crime scene to draw certain conclusions that enable them to act on behalf of the state of
Nevada. In our text, Paul reminds us of certain historical and theological facts about Calvary that
will lead us to act a certain way in light of our understanding of these truths.
- God graciously and eternally plants us in Christ (v.5).
Mona Loewen, using her Greek New Testament, shared with me last Sunday that this word
means "to be so entwined and linked that separation is impossible." This union we have
with Christ is due to God's love for us, and His choice to give us to Christ. The Jews came to
Jesus and asked "If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly" (John 10:24). Jesus' responds by
referring directly to the union He has with His people (vs. 25-30).
- God then grants full and complete pardon to us in Christ (v.6-7).
Being united with Christ, we died at Calvary when He died. Our sinful, old man was crucified
with Christ, and the guilt we have because of sin was destroyed. We are no longer servants to sin,
under bondage to the condemnation of sin, but freed from sin. The phrase "freed from
sin" in v.7 has the same word Paul uses throughout chapters 4-5 which is translated
"justified." In other words, we are "justified from sin."
- God, through Christ, treats us just as if we never sinned -- we are guiltless.
- God, through Christ, treats us just as if we fully obeyed -- we are holy.
- God, in time, gives dynamic power to us in Christ (v.8).
We will, by God's grace, begin to find our lives being transformed by God's power. It is the
same power that raised Christ from the dead, and just as God raised His Son from the dead, so
too, He raises His people from the deadness of trespasses and sins. "If we be dead
with Christ does not imply any doubt about it, but rather, a taking for granted that since we died
in Christ, we shall also certainly live with him." John Gill.
- It is a "new" life here on earth (v.4).
- It is a life of glory and happiness with Him hereafter for all eternity (v.8).
- God ultimately glorifies Himself through our complete salvation (v.5, v.8,
v.10).
When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus we'll sing
and shout the victory! History is His Story of redemption. Paul prays that, "The church might
know the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ
Jesus our Lord" (Ephesians 3:10-11).
Those are the facts. Calvary saves. Christ is not an enabler, He is a Savior. In light of this:
Reckon yourself -- it means to account yourself; take stock of the truth told and
rest in it.
- Dead to sin -- rest in the knowledge that guilt is discharged; fear not
condemnation.
- Alive to God -- the life I now live is not lived by the law but by the Spirit. May
God give us the grace to experience the love, mercy, grace and goodness of God
we have!
Questions? Comments?
Pastor Wade
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