Romans 6:3-11
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. – Romans 6:4
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In the past two days, we have reflected on Israel’s wilderness journey in Numbers 20–21. These passages reveal both the people’s failure and the grace they received. Under pressure, the Israelites complained, and even Moses responded in anger. Yet God remained faithful; He still provided water for them. Later, when the people sinned again, God brought judgment, but He also made a way of healing through the bronze serpent. Those who looked up in faith were given life.
This moment in the wilderness points us forward to Jesus Christ, who was lifted up on the cross. Just as the Israelites looked and lived, we look to Christ and receive forgiveness and new life. Yet today’s passage reminds us that salvation is not only about forgiveness, it is also about transformation.
The Apostle Paul teaches that all who are baptised into Christ are baptised into His death. Our old self, marked by sin, complaint, self-reliance, and rebellion, has been crucified with Him. And just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too are raised to walk in newness of life.
In Numbers 21, the people looked at the bronze serpent and lived. In today’s devotion passage, we see something deeper: we do not only look and live—we die and rise with Christ. The Israelites experienced physical healing for a moment; in Christ, we are made spiritually new for a lifetime.
Yet the reality of daily life often feels like a wilderness. Pressures remain. Delays test our patience. Unexpected detours in life unsettle us. At times, old patterns resurface—complaining, striving, and reacting in the flesh.
In the midst of this, Paul calls us to remember who we are. We are no longer slaves to sin. We are no longer defined by our past responses. We are no longer bound to live as we once did. Instead, we are invited into a life of continuous renewal—to “count ourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
This renewal is not a single moment, but a daily posture. Each day presents opportunities to live out this new identity—to turn from old ways of reacting and to respond instead with trust, surrender, and a desire to honour God. The same God who provided water in the wilderness, and who healed through the lifted serpent, is the One who now gives us new life through Christ—not merely to sustain us, but to transform us.
Reflection:
What is one “old pattern” in your life that God is calling you to leave behind? Today, how can you consciously “count yourself dead to sin and alive to God” in a specific situation you are facing?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your faithfulness in our lives. Just as You provided for your people in the wilderness, You have provided for us through Jesus Christ, bringing us forgiveness, new life, and hope. Lord, we confess that we often fall back into old patterns and struggle to trust You. Help us to remember who we are in Christ. Teach us to count ourselves dead to sin and alive to You. Renew our hearts and give us grace each day to live out our new identity, that our lives may honour You. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Click to read passage
In the past two days, we have reflected on Israel’s wilderness journey in Numbers 20–21. These passages reveal both the people’s failure and the grace they received. Under pressure, the Israelites complained, and even Moses responded in anger. Yet God remained faithful; He still provided water for them. Later, when the people sinned again, God brought judgment, but He also made a way of healing through the bronze serpent. Those who looked up in faith were given life.
This moment in the wilderness points us forward to Jesus Christ, who was lifted up on the cross. Just as the Israelites looked and lived, we look to Christ and receive forgiveness and new life. Yet today’s passage reminds us that salvation is not only about forgiveness, it is also about transformation.
The Apostle Paul teaches that all who are baptised into Christ are baptised into His death. Our old self, marked by sin, complaint, self-reliance, and rebellion, has been crucified with Him. And just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too are raised to walk in newness of life.
In Numbers 21, the people looked at the bronze serpent and lived. In today’s devotion passage, we see something deeper: we do not only look and live—we die and rise with Christ. The Israelites experienced physical healing for a moment; in Christ, we are made spiritually new for a lifetime.
Yet the reality of daily life often feels like a wilderness. Pressures remain. Delays test our patience. Unexpected detours in life unsettle us. At times, old patterns resurface—complaining, striving, and reacting in the flesh.
In the midst of this, Paul calls us to remember who we are. We are no longer slaves to sin. We are no longer defined by our past responses. We are no longer bound to live as we once did. Instead, we are invited into a life of continuous renewal—to “count ourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
This renewal is not a single moment, but a daily posture. Each day presents opportunities to live out this new identity—to turn from old ways of reacting and to respond instead with trust, surrender, and a desire to honour God. The same God who provided water in the wilderness, and who healed through the lifted serpent, is the One who now gives us new life through Christ—not merely to sustain us, but to transform us.
Reflection:
What is one “old pattern” in your life that God is calling you to leave behind? Today, how can you consciously “count yourself dead to sin and alive to God” in a specific situation you are facing?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your faithfulness in our lives. Just as You provided for your people in the wilderness, You have provided for us through Jesus Christ, bringing us forgiveness, new life, and hope. Lord, we confess that we often fall back into old patterns and struggle to trust You. Help us to remember who we are in Christ. Teach us to count ourselves dead to sin and alive to You. Renew our hearts and give us grace each day to live out our new identity, that our lives may honour You. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.