IDENTITY WITH CHRIST

10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:10-11)

We are nearing the end time and prophecy is being filled before our eyes with amazing rapidity. The days of apostasy are upon us. We are truly hasting on to the final consummation and the conflict of the ages, which was spoken by the holy prophets of old.
 
We hear many of God’s saints today say, “it is so hard to pray.” “It seems that the powers of darkness are so strong.” Because of this many are becoming discouraged and downhearted and are fainting and falling by the wayside.
 
It is true that sin is abounding on every hand, “and because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” These are undeniable facts; yet Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever.
 
On the other hand, even though sin is abounding on every hand, we read, “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound, that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”
 
This truly wonderful, for if I understand this verse correctly; I believe that the Apostle is endeavoring to convey to our minds that to the extent that sin reigned and had power, authority, dominion and rulership under the law, even so to that extent – grace reigns through righteousness under this present dispensation. In other words, sin has been dethroned and grace takes the place of sin upon the throne.
 
Someone has said, “A good definition for Grace, is the love of God in action.” “8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9)

We see then, that under the law, sin reigned. Paul says the law was holy, just, good and spiritual, but – “I an carnal, sold under sin.” The law could not deliver from sin. The law said, “do” – but gave not the power to “do”. The law was to shoe us the exceeding sinfulness of sin, but we were powerless to help or deliver ourselves from sin in the least degree. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3:20)

Paul also says in Galatians 3:21-28, “21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Let us hear then the conclusion of the matter. Christ Jesus is the solution to the sin problem. The sinless One has conquered sin. We read, “3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:3-4)

At Calvary, the sinless One identified Himself with the sinful ones (Isaiah 53:12). He died the shameful and ignominious death of the cross, not as a martyr, but as a transgressor. He won the victory. Thank God! He won the victory, not for Himself, but for you my friend!

He spoiled principalities and powers and made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. He identified Himself with you in your sin, that you might be identified with Him in His victory. Do you see it?
These are the days when we fully need to know the basis of our victory and how to intelligently by faith take our position in Christ, in order to make that victory an everyday experience.
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Have you been baptized in His Name?
Have you been filled with His Spirit?

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