Balance

“That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Phil 3:10-11

Balance is sometimes difficult.

To overemphasize the death of Christ, essential as it is, can be a morbid preoccupation.

To minimize the death of Christ, focusing entirely on the risen Lord, may lead to a failure to understand the significance of His death.

The truths of Christ’s death and resurrection relate to more than your justification. Together, they make provision for Christian living that is characterized by victory.

“Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?” Romans 6:3

Why is this identification with Christ’s death so dynamic?

“For he who has died is freed from sin.” Romans 6:7

You are still in a position where you need daily deliverance from sin. United with Christ you have that new capacity to choose not to sin. You can choose to live a godly life as an act of your will.

“Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Romans 6:11

“That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Philip. 3:10-11

Choose to be conformed to His death. Walk with Him - in newness of life - enabled by His resurrection power.