In Christ (Romans 5-6)

Jews of Paul’s time would have largely understood sin as transgression, as doing what the Law said not to do, or as not doing what it said to do. But Paul describes sin as a power that rules and reigns over the earth. No matter what we do or don't do, all humans are born into the country or family of Adam, the country where the reigning power is sin and death.

But for Paul, to be “in Christ” means to live under a new rule.  Like a refugee, we’re moving countries, changing rules, leaving the kingdom of our birth. 

Being “in Christ” means having Jesus’ story become ours. Paul illustrates this through the imagery of baptism. Baptism symbolizes a union with Christ. When we go down into the water, it's like we're going down into his death, dying to the kingdom of Sin.

But Jesus didn’t stay dead.  So, “just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” To be “in Christ” is to join our story with his, to retell our story through the lens of his–past, present, and future.