Romans 6:5-7 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin.
New life comes only through death. A new opportunity to live comes only when we put an end to our old life. Being united with Jesus in death is an act of faith. We must lay ourselves on the cross of crucifixion only with God’s help through the promise of new life. It is a decision we must make. No one, not even God, can make that decision for us. It is a matter of love, and love is a choice by definition and nature. The only way to conquer sin is through consecration, of laying ourselves upon the altar, as the image in Romans 12:1-2 implies. We must end our association with sin. To replace sin as master requires the acknowledgement of a new master. Jesus must become the Lord of all. We begin to imitate his life through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is a second work of grace because we have reached a new point of decision in our life. God’s grace is always available. The first work of grace in our life is the acknowledgement of our sins and need for salvation, which Paul describes in Romans 3:23-24. The second work of grace comes as we realize that our faith must grow beyond justification and into sanctification. Jesus is our Savior and now he must be our Lord. This is a decision that we grow into and continue in. For some people, it comes as a crisis and for others more as a development. No matter what a person experiences, the path will be the same following the narrow gate of discipleship.
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