{"id":38921,"date":"2021-08-29T12:48:14","date_gmt":"2021-08-29T10:48:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kernbeisser.ch\/faith-practice-reckon-with-it\/"},"modified":"2024-07-15T09:28:41","modified_gmt":"2024-07-15T07:28:41","slug":"faith-practice-reckon-with-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kernbeisser.ch\/en\/faith-practice-reckon-with-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Faith practice: Reckon with it"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text text_lead=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”110178″]Faith speaks of the hope and expectation that is within us. To speak of it authentically is a privilege and a matter of course (1Pet 3:15). Faith cannot be reduced to theological statements or practical rules of conduct. The first is too top-heavy, the second may be top-heavy. Heart and brain belong together. The Gospel wants to be understood and then find expression in everyday life. But how does something like this happen? The following post was written years ago, but relaunched here. Those who want to put faith into practice should expect certain things in concrete terms. What are these things?[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”228004″]<\/p>\n

Old and new<\/h3>\n

“So you also! Count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”<\/em>
\nRom 6:11<\/p>\n

In the previous passage, Paul made it clear that newness of life can come only when our old humanity dies with Christ. Because: Only through death does new life come.<\/p>\n

“Now together with Him we were buried in death by baptism, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so also we may walk in newness of life.”<\/em>
\nRom 6:4<\/p>\n

Now this contrast is the prequel to the current verse. What is now buried in death, Paul calls a few verses further “the old humanity”:<\/p>\n

“Realizing this, that our old humanity was crucified together with Him, so that the body of sin might be rendered ineffective and we might no longer be enslaved to sin.”<\/em>
\nRom 6:6<\/p>\n

God’s goal with us is change in newness of life. Liberation from the slavery of sin is to enable us to do this. How do we get there now? Through death and resurrection. Paul writes about this in Romans 6.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”117172″]<\/p>\n

The ancient mankind<\/h3>\n

It was not we ourselves who died on the cross, but our ancient humanity. This has a meaning. As far as Paul calls it here, he writes by way of introduction: “recognizing this …”<\/em>. It is about acknowledging a reality. We should realize that our old humanity was “crucified together with Him.” Because that’s how it is. This is not literally true, but it is a spiritual reality – this is how Paul sees and describes it in figurative language. This is the reality before God. We are not asked to feel bad or sinful, to try hard, improve ourselves, or otherwise be active, but to look at ourselves through God’s eyes. We should recognize!<\/p>\n

The cross without resurrection does not bring salvation. This is just as true for our everyday lives. There is a newness of life only through death and<\/em> resurrection. Of course, this is imagery when it relates to our everyday lives. Paul wants to wake us up with these images, to awaken our trust in God – so that we learn to put the New Life into practice.<\/p>\n

In all this the apostle is very sober. Our daily lives are not about sentimentalism, nor do we need confirmation in our faith at every turn (such as miracles, signs, prophecies). Rather, it is a matter of simple trust and actively putting that trust into practice. We are fully human and fully dependent on Him. Paul shows how we give our lives a concrete direction:<\/p>\n