A train traveling through the night in a very violent rainstorm. The lightning flashes were almost blinding, the rain hitting the windows was deafening and the strong wind gusts rocked the train from side to side. When the lightning flashed and lighted up the darkness, the passengers could see the rising water along the tracks. This created terror in the minds of the passengers. Several passengers noted that through all the noise, lightening and wind, one of the passengers, a little girl, seemed to be at perfect peace. The adult passengers couldn’t figure out why the little girl was so calm during all this excitement. Finally, one passenger asked her, “How is that you can be so calm when all the rest of us are so worried about what might or could happen?” The little passenger smiled and said, “My father is the engineer.”
Like the little girl, there are some things we can know that will get us through tough times. The inspired writer speaks of some of these things in Romans 6:3-10 that we can know.
Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.
(1) I know that I am dead to sin. How? Because when baptized, I was immersed into a new relationship. With Christ. With him who loves me and died for me. I was buried into his death. As He died, I died to sin. And I was “washed in His blood” (Rev. 1:5). I know that. And that gives assurance.
(2) I know that I am alive with Christ. Christ died, but was raised. I died to sin, but was raised. Christ is alive. I am alive. I enjoy life in all is fullness because of Jesus. I know that. And that supplies joy.
(3) I know that I am not Satan’s sin slave. He doesn’t own me. I don’t have to listen to him. He can only harm me if I give him permission. His power is limited. Why? Because of the power of Christ. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn 8:32). Thanks be to God, I’m free. I know that. And that provides peace.
(4) I know that death has no dominion over me. Since I am not sin’s slave, death doesn’t control me. It has no power over me. It doesn’t frighten me. I am not manipulated by Satan or his minions. I know Jesus is the resurrection and the life. And that offers hope.
When darkness engulfs us, and the storm of enticement, temptation or trial threatens our spiritual safety we can find peace, comfort and assurance in some things we know. And like the little girl we know The Father. He’s in charge. He’s in control. His guidance is borne out love for us. Concern for our safety. And compassion for our distress.
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
ThePreachersWord 