In Christ I Have Been Crucified, Buried, and Raised
Joined to His death, alive in His resurrection
Part 2 of 17 Series — What being “in Christ” personally means to
you
Romans 6:4 — “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.”
Opening Reflection
Many believers know they have been forgiven yet still live as if the old self were on probation rather than put to death. Familiar sins can feel like the truer identity, and resurrection life can feel theoretical. Scripture teaches something more decisive: at the cross, the believer’s old self died, was buried, and has been raised together with Christ.
Taking a Devotional View
Paul develops this truth in Romans 6 as the answer to a critical question: should believers continue in sin so that grace may abound? His answer is rooted in union with Christ. Through faith — pictured in baptism — the believer is joined to Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection. The old self that once lived under sin’s mastery was crucified with Him (Romans 6:6). It was buried in His tomb. And it was raised when He was raised. This is not a metaphor adopted for inspiration; it is the spiritual reality of every person who belongs to Christ (see Colossians 2:12).
Galatians 2:20 names the same reality from a personal angle: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” The Christian life, then, is not a project of trying to make the old self behave. The old self has already been put to death. The life now lived is Christ’s resurrection life expressed through the believer. This reframes everything — sin, struggle, obedience, and growth are no longer approached as an underdog still fighting for footing, but as one already raised with Jesus and called to walk in newness of life.
Key Thoughts & Takeaways
Key Thoughts
- Through union with Christ, the believer’s old self was crucified, buried, and raised with Him at the cross (Romans 6:4-6; Colossians 2:12).
- The Christian life is no longer powered by self-effort but by Christ’s resurrection life now indwelling the believer (Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 1:19-20).
- Walking in newness of life means living consistently with what God has already accomplished, not striving to make it true (Romans 6:11; Colossians 3:1).
Ask Yourself
- Do I still relate to my old self as though it were active rather than crucified with Christ?
- In what area does Christ’s resurrection life need to express itself through me today?
- Where am I still trying to overcome sin by self-effort instead of reckoning myself dead and alive in Him?
Lord Jesus, thank You that in You I have died, been buried, and been raised. My old self was crucified at the cross, and a new life has begun in me. Teach me to reckon this as true and to walk today in resurrection newness, no longer driven by self-effort but yielded to Your indwelling life. May it no longer be I who live, but You living in me. In Your name I pray, Amen.