Today’s Bible reading is Exodus 30 and Romans 7.
Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. (Rom 7:4)
Newness of life. That’s what men and women who have been reconciled to God through the sacrifice of Jesus enjoy.
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Rom 6:4)
That’s good news. Wonderful news! But take the time to meditate on the “so that” in Romans 7:4.
You also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead…
You belong to Jesus. He is not:
- Your copilot
- A cosmic vending machine
- Your personal prayer-genie in a bottle
- Some impersonal Force in the cosmos
- A weekend hobby
- An obligatory checkmark on the to-do list of your conscience
If you’re a Christian, you belong to him.
To what end? “In order that [you] may bear fruit for God” (Rom 7:4).
Baptized, so that you may belong, in order to bear fruit for God. Those simple truths are worth remembering this weekend.