This powerful message reveals the profound truth of our identity in Christ. Drawing from Romans 6, Duane highlights that through Jesus' death on the cross, our old sinful nature in Adam has been crucified, and we are now dead to sin. Just as Christ was resurrected, we have been raised to walk in newness of life, freed from the bondage of sin (Romans 6:4-7).
We are no longer slaves to sin because the one who has died has been freed from sin (Romans 6:7). Our old self has been put to death, and we have been made alive in Christ, becoming a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are now the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), and our lives are hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:3).
The message encourages believers to reckon themselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11). We are urged to set our minds on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1-2). Duane encourages us that our identity is no longer defined by our past sins or struggles but by our union with Christ, in whom we are righteous and truly holy.