[Jesus] personally carried our sins in his body on the cross, so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed (1 Peter 2:24).
In order to comprehend the full depth of what this verse means for us we first need to understand what is true about those who have yet to put their trust in Christ:
- When Adam chose to live his life apart from God, sin entered into mankind and brought with it death. This sin is in the hearts of all mankind from birth. (see Romans 5:12)
- The only way to be set free from the penalty of your sin is for it to be included in the death of Jesus. (see Romans 6:7)
- If you die physically without trusting Jesus to pay the penalty of your sin, the sin in your heart will keep you separated from God for all eternity.
So, instead of being dead to sin, those who are still living independently from Christ are dead in their sin. The sin within them defines who they are, dictates how they are able to live, and destines where they will spend eternity.
No matter how you spin it, that is not good news.
But let’s look at what today’s verse says about those of us who have trusted in Christ:
- When Jesus was on the cross, all of your sins (past, present, and future) were placed on His body.
- When He died, His death fulfilled the penalty of your sin. And now that your sin debt has been satisfied, it will never need to be paid again.
- When Christ came back to life, you were also included in His everlasting life. This life of Christ within you is what gives you the power to live righteously today.
Therefor, because of Christ’s work on the cross, you have been made dead to sin and alive in Him. Your old identity of sinner was crucified with Jesus and you have been given a new identity of holy, righteous saint.
But if I’m truly dead to sin, why do I still struggle with it?
Perhaps the better question is: “How does God view those who are in Christ when they fall back into sin?”
Scripture answers that question clearly:
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
Because of what Christ did for you on the cross, you have been made dead to the penalty of your sins. Your sin will never again define how God sees you.
In fact, when God looks at you, He sees you as holy and blameless (even when you are sitting in front of a computer with your pants around your ankles).
Yes, all of us will struggle with sin from time to time…even after we trust Christ. But those struggles no longer define us in the eyes of God.
Furthermore, the life of Christ within you gives you the power you need to walk away from sin. You may not always choose to, but for the first time in your life you actually have the ability to do so.
And that, my friend, is good news.
