The Exchange
Bible in a Year: Leviticus 8-10; Matthew 25:31-46
Our old self was crucified with [Christ] so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. Romans 6:6
Today's Scripture: Romans 6:4-12
Insight
In Romans 1-3, Paul shows that all human beings are sinners in need of salvation. In chapter 4, he writes about our redemption and justification. Through faith in Jesus, who died for our sins and was raised from the dead (vv. 24-25), God has given us a right relationship with Him. In chapters 5-8, the apostle describes this new life. He writes metaphorically of our former life as something old which has been replaced by something new (see 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:9-10). In Romans 6, the apostle likens our sinful nature to the “old self” (v. 6) that was crucified and buried with Christ. Believers in Jesus are no longer the same but are now “dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus” (v. 11 nlt). Those who accept God’s offer of new life through faith in Christ can now live in a way that honors Him because sin is no longer their master (vv. 11-14).
Elijah had accidentally ripped a ten-dollar bill while playing with his friends. But instead of admonishing him, his father offered to exchange the torn bill with a fresh one from his wallet.
“Why would you do that?” Elijah asked, confused. “For one, you’re my son,” his father explained. “It’s also a reminder of what Jesus did for us. Because Jesus came and gave His life in exchange for ours, we can now live new lives.”
Every human life is valuable to God because He created each of us. But our sinful nature—“the body ruled by sin” (Romans 6:6)—keeps us from living a life worthy of God’s holiness. So God, in His great love for us, willingly gave up His Son to pay the price of our sin. Our old self was put to death, and in exchange, He offers us a new one—“no longer . . . slaves to sin” (v. 6). When we accept God’s offer of new life, we can be assured that even though our old self was sinful and broken—“corrupted by its deceitful desires” (Ephesians 4:22), we are now being perfected “to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (v. 24).
Elijah’s father was willing to offer him something of his own because he loves him. But the even better offer is the one God extends to us: the redemption of our lives. When we accept His offer of new life, we aren’t the same as we were before.
Reflect & Pray
What was your life like before you received Jesus as your redeemer? How would you describe it now?
Dear God, thank You for offering me new life, set free from sin, through faith in Christ.
Get to know the basics of the doctrine of salvation.