Saved Pt. 3

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But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,                                                Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ,                                                 (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit                                          together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he                                                might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us                                                through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that                                                    not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.                                      For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God                                hath before ordained that we should walk in !
them. [Ep 2:4-10]

How are we set free from sin?

Rom 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin,                                                but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

It happens when we are baptized into Christ, which was a baptism into His death. [See Ro 6:3-4]
It is IN BAPTISM that one is "CRUCIFIED WITH HIM (CHRIST)"
[see Ro 6:6]. It is IN BAPTISM that we DIE TO SIN, and then are "FREED FROM SIN" (it's guilt, consequence, and power) [see Ro 6:7]
Notice that our STATE in regards to SIN has changed (and also our state in regard to God, as well!) 
Before baptism into Christ, we were dead IN sin. But after baptism into Christ, we are dead TO sin, and ALIVE TO GOD!

This change takes place in baptism through faith in the working of God!

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;       [Colossians 2:11-13]

Using the figure of "circumcision," Paul states "how" and "when" our sins were "CUT AWAY."

It was WHEN we were buried with Christ in baptism!
Though "dead in trespasses" we were made alive! 
[remember Ep 2:4-10?]
HOW?  We were raised...Through FAITH (this is man's part, expressed by submitting                                   to the command of baptism)
In the WORKING OF GOD (this is God's part, who through His grace cleanses us by the                              blood of Christ and by His Spirit causes us to be "born again" [Jn 3:5; Titus 3:5]
Yes, baptism is a "working of God" by which He imparts wonderful blessings to those                          submit to it, NOT a "work of man" by which one tries to earn or merit salvation!)

So when a person is baptized as a penitent believer [one who believes in Christ and has                      repented of their sins)... God performs a "spiritual operation" (the "circumcison of Christ")!
He who was dead in sins has his sins removed (through the blood of Christ shed in His death)                       And thus he is made alive!
Coming forth from the watery grave, he is being raised together
with Christ [Co 2:12], having in baptism "put on" Christ...

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ [Gal 3:27].                                 This is how one REALLY receives Jesus Christ into their life; not by saying                                              "the sinner's prayer", but by submitting to the command of Christ to be baptized                                       into His death for the remission of sins!

1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit                                 unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

"O HALLELUIAH"
When one is baptized in the #name# of Jesus for the remmision of sins, We SHALL receive                       the Holy Ghost [Acts 2:38]. There is the power to live according to God's commandments.                         As Peter said; " in obeying the truth through the Spirit."                                                                         That is one's victory in this world that we are in.                            

1Jo 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater                                       is he that is #in you,# than he that is in the world.      

Paul in Galatains 5:16-18, again gives us the victory ". . .Walk in the Spirit,                                              and ye shall NOT fulfil the lust of the flesh."                                                                                               "O bless the Lord, He is in us to give us the victory."                           

In His service
frank w.