Reckoning On Our Death With Christ

Reckoning On Our Death With Christ
By John Woodward
August 24, 1998

The believer in Christ should glory in what the Lord Jesus accomplished on Calvary's cross! The apostle Paul might have boasted in his sensational experiences, revelational knowledge, and missionary achievements, but instead he wisely gave credit to whom credit is always due: "But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ . . ." (Gal 6:14a).

We rejoice that Christ died for us and fully paid for our sins once for all. (Heb 10:10). Yet we are prone to overlook the wonderful reality that we died with Christ, "Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. (Rom 6:6). Although we still have the world, the flesh, and the devil to contend with, we are fully equipped through our union with Christ in His death and resurrection. "(God's) divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness . . . "(2 Peter 1:3 ).

Depend upon the fact that through our death with Christ we have been set free from sin's dominion, from the law's condemnation, and from the world's values (Rom Ch 6,7, Gal 6:14b).

How can we be more consistent in living this new quality of life? We must reckon these spiritual realities as ours in Christ (Rom 6:11).

Jessie Penn-Lewis anticipated our potential objection: " ' But I have reckoned thus, and it seems nought but reckoning a lie,' cries some longing heart. Ah, soul, maybe your eyes are in the wrong direction. You are looking within, occupied more with your 'reckoning' than with the work of your Saviour. The Holy Spirit will not bear witness to your ' reckon ', apart from the object of your reckoning. Look away to Calvary. The Lord Jesus died on your behalf, and as your Representative carried you with Him to His Cross. Are you honestly determined to part with every known sin, and willing for the death with Christ to be wrought out in your experience? Then from this crucial moment See yourself as nailed to the tree with your crucified Lord. Relying upon the Holy Spirit, and in faith in the word of God, 'Let not sin therefore reign'. . . Hidden in Christ upon His Cross, and joined to Him in His life, thy part, O child of God, is the continual choice of thy will . . . Do not struggle with aught that comes to thee, but hand over all to Him Whose life thou dost share, and thou shalt find that He is able to deliver and to keep thee day by day." (The Cross of Calvary p. 28)

Hallelujah for the triumph of the Crucified One!

Our Father, forgive us for boasting in anyone but You. Thank You for the profound truths of our spiritual union with Christ. We accept this testimony of the rewards of Calvary and ask You to make them effectual in our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Christ's name, amen.

JBW

August 24, '98

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