Walking in the Newness of Life

Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised
from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:4 (NRSV)

The word ‘newness’ in Romans 6:4 refers to renewal. Notice that we are called to walk in the newness of life. Renewal is to be a way of life; not a one time or once-in-a-while event. The resurrection power of Jesus, given through the Holy Spirit, should flow through us like
a river of life bringing constant revival and renewal.

We receive the life of Christ by directing our love toward Him, moving with Him in obedience to His voice, and clinging to Him. This kind of relationship with God brings constant renewal and revival in our lives, allowing us to bear much spiritual fruit, and to bring glory to God. Many of the choices we make daily are life or death decisions, even though we may be unaware of how important each choice is. We are often faced with decisions, the consequences of which, may lead to more or less of the life of Jesus in us. How we think is very important because what we think leads to actions and words.

Jesus gave up His life twice for us. First, He humbled Himself by becoming a human. He then humbled Himself once again and became obedient to the point of death. On the cross, He emptied Himself as a sacrifice for our sins and died. Three days later, He was raised from
death, and the fullness of His glory was restored.

Jesus's example of humility is what we are called to follow to experience the renewal of life. As we humble ourselves before God, we realize that obedience is a prerequisite. We must empty ourselves through humility to the point of obedience, even when the cost is high.
Obedience to the voice of God is in itself a form of dying to ourself; it is giving up our life with the result of experiencing God’s life. Every time we deny ourselves, we receive more of His life in us.

Love and life go together: where there is life, there is love, and where there is love, there is life. The opposite is also true: where there is hatred there is death. Being vitally connected to Jesus as our source of life is also our connection with love. In this holy connection of life
and love, we see that obedience and sacrifice must be motivated by love. Sacrifice without love will ultimately fail. Sacrifice and obedience which are motivated by love are a work of God’s grace in us.

Remember, the power of the resurrection is in each of us through Jesus, who calls us to live the fully renewed life. May this be the experience of our lives as we strive to be living witnesses of the Risen Christ!

With love and prayers,
Rev. Christopher Phil Daniel
Vicar, Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church
Connecticut