“So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11)

I used to have a couple of fish tanks when I was a child, one with goldfish and the other with freshwater tropical fish. For those of you who have ever taken care of small fish, they tend to die quite easily (or maybe that was just me). For those that died, I would say goodbye, ceremoniously flush them down the toilet, and turn my attention to care for those that were alive.

When Jesus defeated sin on the cross, sin was also defeated in the lives of believers. The Apostle Paul declares that by our faith we have been justified and forgiven (Rom. 5:1, Rom. 5:18) and no longer stand condemned (Rom. 8:1). That is why you’ll often hear the words “Dead to sin, alive in Christ!” as believers are brought down into the water and back up during baptism. As Christians we must understand and grasp this truth for ourselves, otherwise we’ll fail to live in the victory that Christ purchased through His death.

When we constantly dwell on our past life of sin and fail to fully accept His forgiveness, we hinder ourselves from the redeemed life of purpose He has given us. This includes any failures we may encounter as we continue to grow in His image and holiness. One of Satan’s ploys is to bind us in the guilt and shame of sin, blinding us from the gift of grace and freedom that could only be purchased by Christ’s blood (Gal. 3:1-3). As with my fish, it would benefit us to flush it (confess and repent) and press on towards our heavenly goal (Phil. 3:14).

Christian, claim your victory in Jesus today, who is alive and has likewise given you a new life for the glory of His name (2 Cor. 5:17).

Don’t dwell on the dead, but focus on that which is alive!