6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. . . . 13 but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life (Romans 6:6, 13)
How we handle regret is a funny thing. There are those who live by the juvenile mantra of “no regrets”. These misguided legalists fail to see life on a learning curve. If you don’t regret, I wonder if you are truly alive. There are others who live from regret. Every thought is a “wish I would have”. Somewhere in the middle, Jesus is changing the game. When Romans tells us that our “old self was crucified”, he means last week as much as last lifetime. That even when we have seemingly arrived at some holy spiritual plane of thought, our days are being buried in grace. So while regret uncovers what we truly value, it no longer controls us.
13 but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life (Romans 6:13)
Those who have had near-death experiences live differently. Distractions are destroyed by the zoning in of life purpose. Those things that mattered so much before – often space fillers which rob us of joy – are no longer that urgent. The day moves a little slower as their life’s agenda implodes. These people live from life not death.
To live united with Christ means to be brought from death to life. The joys you had previously are magnified while the regrets are redeemed. Perhaps the greatest tragedy of the Christian faith is a failure to understand our freedom. Life is what we make it to be and failures become blips in the narrative of grace. It is only by choosing to identify with this death daily, that we are set free to live richly. Your past is dead, and your future is free. Live freely saint, for the things that you regret (or don’t) are the moments of your story where God is most magnified.
Live from the resurrection
Matt simon blog 