Newness of Life

Yesterday morning (after a very rough night of sleep for our family) I texted my wife:

As surely as Jesus is raised from the dead, you have power today to walk in newness of life.

I grounded that in Paul's statement to the Romans:   

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 ESV)

It is true today, and every day, until we see Him face to face.  Through union with Jesus, the Holy Spirit dwells in us, and the very power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us who believe.  While I cherish the gospel truth that we are made right with God and secure in His love through no work of our own, but simply be resting in Christ's perfect obedience in our behalf, let's not minimize the fact that one gospel blessing we get through our union with Jesus is resurrection power to walk in newness of life and bear fruit for God (Romans 7:4). 

Christians, let's stop whining and complaining that we just can't obey Him.  Yes, there is a real struggle between the flesh and the Spirit, and sometimes the struggle just seems too hard to bear.  But the key word there is "seems."  You, Christian, have power to say no to sin.  Power to put sin to death.  Ultimately, "I can't..." is not a knock on yourself, but a knock on the One who dwells in you.