Daily devotional · April 13
Alive to God
“What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase? Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. For anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God. So you too must count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
Paul teaches that in baptism we are united with Christ in his death and also in his resurrection, so that we might walk in newness of life. That newness is not only a future hope; it is meant to begin now. He tells us to count ourselves dead to sin and alive to God. Counting here means reckoning something as true, then living by it. Sin is no longer our master, even though it still tugs at us. Change is possible, not through willpower alone but through who we now belong to. Today, identify one habit or attitude that no longer fits your new life in Christ. Say to yourself, I am alive to God, and choose one small, specific action that reflects it. If a struggle feels bigger than you, ask a trusted believer or a counselor to walk with you.
Prayer
Father, I belong to You. Help me live today as one raised to new life. Amen.

