Romans 6:3–4

Freedom from the clutches of sin

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

A second major assumption on Paul’s part is that being connected “with him [Christ]” makes a difference. Through Baptism we were buried with him into death “in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Recall that Christ’s death and resurrection were the basis of the righteousness that the Father credited to us to make us children of God, fit for his kingdom.

But Christ’s death and resurrection do more. They are also the power enabling the child of God to lead a new life. In this new life of faith, the believer is enabled to do what is pleasing to God. As such, it is a life of faithful obedience to God’s will, not rebellion against his commandments by continuing in sin.