If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. (Rom. 6:5)
THE SCIENCE-FICTION FILM ARRIVAL is about a linguist who’s trying to communicate with aliens after their arrival on Earth. As she learns their language, the linguist starts to think like the aliens do. Her perception of time—past, present, and future—shifts as she takes on their mindset.
The apostle Paul described a similar phenomenon in Romans 6. Jesus has died and risen again. As we are united with Him, we take on a new mindset that affects our past, present, and future. We are no longer bound by the thinking that dominated our lives before we came to Christ. We see ourselves and the world through a new lens.
Past: At conversion (represented by baptism), we died with Christ to our old life of sin and rose with Him to begin a new life of serving God.
Present: In our daily lives, we are to count ourselves dead to sin but alive to God by offering our bodies for God for doing good.
Future: One day our mortal body will die. But because we are united to Christ, death won’t have the last word! We anticipate the day when we will be resurrected, just as Jesus was, and enjoy eternal life with Him.
Does your thinking represent the old you or the new one? Let your mindset be the same as that of Christ.
Based on your past commitment, be obedient today in hope of future reward.
Jerome Van Kuiken grew up in the Philippines as the child of missionaries. He teaches Bible, theology, and apologetics at Oklahoma Wesleyan University, and serves in the children’s ministry at his local church.
© 2018 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
