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Oneness with Christ • Oct 21st 1987

Romans – The Play Part 2: Oneness with Christ — Dead to Sin, Alive to God

New Testament Paul the Apostle The Epistles

One of the most profound truths in the Christian life is the believer’s union with Jesus Christ. In this powerful teaching from Romans 6, Gene Edwards explores what it truly means to be “in Christ” and why the gospel offers far more than forgiveness of sins.

Many believers struggle with guilt, condemnation, and an ongoing focus on personal failure. Yet Paul presents a radically different perspective. Instead of motivating Christians through fear, law, or self-effort, he points to a spiritual reality that occurred at conversion: believers were united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.

Drawing directly from Romans 6, this message examines Paul’s startling response to the question, “If salvation is by grace, why not continue in sin?” His answer is not a list of rules or religious obligations. Instead, he reveals a deeper truth: those who belong to Christ have died to sin because they have been made one with Him.

Gene carefully explains the biblical concept of union with Christ, emphasizing that believers were immersed into Christ Himself. When Christ died, believers died with Him. When He rose from the dead, believers rose with Him. This new identity fundamentally changes a Christian’s relationship to sin, guilt, condemnation, and spiritual growth.

This teaching also addresses the difference between conviction and general guilt, helping believers understand the freedom that comes from living in Christ rather than under constant self-accusation. Through vivid illustrations and practical application, Gene shows how faith accepts spiritual realities that cannot be seen with natural eyes.

If you have ever wondered what it means to be dead to sin, alive to God, or truly free in Christ, this study offers a life-changing perspective on the believer’s identity and inheritance in Jesus Christ.

This session is part of the Romans series and provides foundational insight into grace, justification, Christian identity, and the believer’s union with Christ.

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Abraham accepted as real that which he could not see. That was in Romans 5. I’d like to look at that again.

Abraham accepted as real things that he could not see. Abraham accepted as real that which was not real. Abraham accepted as real that which he could not feel. He could not see. He accepted the unseen as though it were seen. And this is what we’re talking about here. You just accept something that happened that’s invisible. That’s unseen. If I can step back and look through the eyes of God, my God sees. Let me put it this way: your God sees. You plunged—baptized, immersed—into Christ.

Can you see Christ as water? Can you see yourself plunged into Him?

Now you’re immersed. Now you’re in Him. You’re in the water. The water is Christ, okay?

Well, fine. Now the water rises from the dead. The metaphor breaks down here, but Christ comes up out of the grave. You’re still immersed in Him. You’re immersed in His death. You’re immersed in His resurrection. You’re plunged into Him. You’re invisibly lost in there. This is what God sees. You come up, and things are totally different—and this is what God sees. And you accept—and accept as real and as true – that which you cannot see.

Now, dear Christian, you’re a new believer. You’re a brand new believer, but this night must forever alter your relationship to sin. I don’t want to hear you talking to me about all your great sins.

“Well, Gene, what am I going to do if I sin?” It’s really simple: Call your attorney.

Call your attorney. He’ll talk to the Father about this. “But Gene, that breaks down. It says I’m dead to sin!” I don’t care what it says. If I do sin, I have an advocate with the Father. Right now, I need to concentrate on the fact that sin and I have had one relationship, and it is broken.

Now, later, if I want to concentrate on the fact that I have sinned—fine. Call a lawyer. Call your lawyer. But right now, concentrate on that which is real, even if it is unseen. And accept as real that which you cannot see, that you have died to sin.

Now I must ask you a question: whose funeral was it?

Yours or sins? Think about it for a moment. This is quite interesting. Whose funeral was it?

Yours.

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