Co-crucifixion opens the door into co-resurrection. Death is the gate to life. Identification with Christ in His death and burial is but the beginning of the believer’s union with Him in endless life. Death is both an ending and a beginning, an exit and an entrance.

Romans 6:5

“For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.”

Romans 6:8

“But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.”

Identification with Christ in His quickening, resurrection, and ascension takes the believer into the new sphere of the “Spirit” and begins the life of “the new man.”

Ephesians 2:4-6

⁴ “But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved), ⁶ and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 4:24

“And that ye put on that new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

“Together with Christ” on the cross, in the tomb, in the heavenlies! Thus, would the exalted Lord of glory, Head of the new creation, share with every believer the glorious victory of His death, the mighty power of His resurrection, and the regal bounty of His throne.

“If Christ would live and reign in me,           I must die; With Him I crucified must be;           I must die; Lord, drive the nails, nor heed the groans, My flesh may writhe and make its moans, But in this way, and this alone,           I must die. When I am dead, then Lord to Thee           I shall live; My time, my strength, my all to Thee           I shall give. O may the Son now make me free! Here, Lord, I give my all to Thee; For time and for eternity           I will live.”

Source: “Life on the Highest Plane” by Ruth Paxson

Gracious Lord, thank You for putting off the old man through Your death, yet through Your resurrection, we have put on the new man created in Christ Jesus.