TWO GOOD DEATHS

"For he that is dead is freed from sin" (Romans 6:7).

The word "freed" as used in this verse is usually rendered "justified" in other translations. To be "justified" is to stand just or right in God's sight. Notice Romans 6:3: "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" This verse, considered with other verses, seems to indicate that we became recipients of the benefits of Christ's death when we were scripturally baptized. The outstanding benefit of Christ's death was for the justification of mankind. This benefit was the result of being baptized. Look also at 1 Corinthians 6:9-11: "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." They were washed, (baptized) therefore justified.

How strange it is that outstanding scholars hate baptism so much they do all they can to undermine what the Bible says. Notice the remarks of Robertson on the word washed: "This was their own voluntary act in baptism which was the outward expression of the previous act of God in cleansing (ye were sanctified or cleansed before the baptism) and justified (ye were put right with God before the act of baptism)." But the Bible is plain: "baptized into His death."

Romans 6:4 tells us further, "We are buried with Him by baptism into death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." We are set free from the bondage of sin, justified. Where did the death take place? The Bible says that it all took place in baptism. "For he that is dead is freed (justified) from sin." A good death!

"... Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them" (Revelation 14:13). This is one of the beatitudes of Revelation.

The word "blessed" is sometimes rendered "happy," but it goes further than being just a pleasurable happy. It has to do with the satisfaction of being "in favor" with God.. So, those who "die in the Lord" are highly favored in God's sight. To "die in the Lord" is more than just having been baptized "into Christ." It means that one is walking in harmony with the commandments of the Lord. So, a person who dies in that condition has a "happy" ending. Another good death!

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