“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 mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. ” (Romans 6:8-9)
Have you ever heard someone say, “Every time you sin, you put Jesus to death on the cross all over again”? It’s a great line for trying to guilt-motivate someone to do good. “I’m making Jesus suffer even more by the sin I’m doing right now; that’s awful! I’ve got to stop!”
It’s also a lie. Jesus died. Past tense. One time. He did suffer unbearable agony for our sins. If we have any conscience at all, we should feel overwhelmed with gratitude by the idea of the pain He endured for our selfish and worthless choices to sin. And every sin we do next did contribute to His pain on the cross.
But the cross is as empty as the tomb. That terrible moment is long over. He does not continue to experience it. Paul is clear: Jesus died to sin once for all. He cannot — will not — die again. Ever. He experienced death and beat it. Mission accomplished. He’s alive now and free to continue God’s work in the universe. Amazingly, Christians are also dead to sin’s power and free to serve God.
Think: Does it make your head spin to realize that Jesus died long ago for the sin you’ll do tomorrow? How does that make you feel about your future sin?
Pray: Thank God for Jesus’ willing death in your place on the cross — and thank Him that Jesus is done with that moment and His battle with death is over.
Do: See if you can find a passage in the Bible that describes where Jesus is right now.