The Death of Christ

The Death of Christ

“For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.” Romans 6:10. The way of salvation goes through death to life. This is the way Jesus went, and this is the way we must go. Jesus died His death to sin, and we must also reckon ourselves dead indeed to sin but alive to God.

Jesus accomplished a great work of salvation through His death. He became the source of cleansing from all sin, as well as the power to overcome every enemy. Wherever this salvation is received, chains and fetters are broken, the power of darkness has to vanish, and life and immortality come to light. We must be united with Him in His death if we want to learn to know Him, His salvation, and the power of His resurrection. Our attitude toward His death is of the utmost importance for us. Without it we possess neither power nor hope of a heavenly glory, but in His death we overcome Satan himself. Nothing of this world is stronger than death. The power of sin cannot continue to dominate where the death of Christ rules.

Jesus’ way must become our way. It is insufficient for Jesus to have suffered death in the flesh, thus making an end of the law (for Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who be­lieves); but the requirement of the law must also be fulfilled in us­those who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

In the death of Christ we have forgiveness for all our sins, and power to do away with the body of sin. It is worth our while to struggle and fight to the utmost of our ability to gain this salvation. It cost Jesus unspeakably much; let us therefore make use of so great a salvation. Jesus said to His disciples, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized.” Mark 10:39. This is both an entrance to the way, and a commandment to go the same way He went. On this way we are molded and conformed to His death, and we are transformed into His image from glory to glory. “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink.” Who hears these words in our days, and who is willing? There are many who want to receive forgiveness and eternal life, but when Jesus invites them to follow Him through sufferings and death, only a few remain. The way that leads to life is narrow, and few are those who find it. Matthew 7:14.

We are called to go the same way Jesus went, who poured out His soul unto death. “For to this you were called, because Christ also suf­fered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” 1 Peter 2:21. However, we are not among those who suffer with Him if we do not pour out our soul and take up our cross daily. Romans 8:17. Partaking of Christ’s sufferings is the basis on which we can be glad with exceeding joy at the revelation of His glory. 1 Peter 4:13. On this point it is easy to forsake the spirit of truth and fall prey to the spirit of error. Whereas the spirit of truth is not satisfied until it has separated soul from spirit and judged the thoughts and intents of the heart, the spirit of error is content with fables and things that please the flesh. Above everything else it does not tolerate anything that pertains to a personal salvation.

“For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all.” The judgment that was passed over sin by means of this death was per­fect. Jesus went the whole way on this way of death, according to the Father’s will. He was made perfect through sufferings, and by the grace of God He tasted death for us all. We can see the dreadful con­sequences of sin and its power when we consider the fact that through one man’s sin and fall, death permeated all mankind. God had given the commandment that they should not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But sin took occasion by the com­mandment; man fell, and he died the very same day. The spirit was separated from God and man was driven out of God’s garden. The soul, instead of being led by the spirit, had now fallen to the state where it was led by the flesh. Now all of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God. According to our nature we are all children of wrath, dead in trespasses and sins. However, Jesus brought light and hope into this darkness into which mankind had fallen. He at­tacked the root cause of sin’s dreadful consequences. “Therefore, when He came into the world, He said, ‘Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offer­ings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure.’ Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—in the volume of the book it is written of Me—to do Your will, O God!’” Hebrews 10:5-7. Jesus overcame the self-will of man in His body; He consecrated a new and living way for us through the flesh. The consequences of the fall have been annulled, Satan’s power over the flesh has been broken, and the way has now been opened for everyone to do God’s will.

When God wanted to save mankind from spiritual death and from the power which the devil exerted over their lives, He did it through death. It was determined that the one who had the power of death, would be destroyed through death. Therefore Jesus came with a death, and for this reason the death of Jesus has to be working in all those who want to overcome the flesh and the power of Satan. The death that He died, He died to sin; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. His followers reckon themselves dead to sin, but alive to God and are an aroma of death to death and of life to life.

The testimony of the blood will be evident in our life when we bear the death of Jesus in our mortal body. God will raise us up in the power of this testimony and will make us partakers of the glory of Christ.