For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection, ROM 6:5.

The resurrection of Christ is celebrated by most of the world, and in so many different ways; but it is to be feared that the real blessedness of His resurrection is missed by many. In order to understand the real meaning of His resurrection, we must first understand what was the cause of His death. Our text says, "If we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection."

Therefore, if we are to rightly understand Christ's resurrection, we must first understand His death. Christ had no sin, but He covenanted to pay the penalty of sin for His people. We read in 2 Co 5:21, "For He made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." Christ's resurrection was His victory over sin, death and the grave.

If we shall have any benefit from Christ's resurrection, it shall be a victory over sin, and the things of death. "Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" ROM 6:1-2. God's Word says, ". . . like as Christ was raised up by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life," ROM:4b.

Can we say that we have a part in His resurrection, if we have never been delivered from the power of sin? Our text says, "If". Oh, beloved, how we should stop and ponder when the Almighty uses the word "IF"! "If we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin," ROM:5-6.

Herein lays the key to understanding the resurrection of Christ! "For in that He died, he died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof," ROM 6:10-12.

The Lord tells us in Eph 2:1-3 what it is to be, "dead in trespasses and sin" walking, "according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." It also reveals what it is to have a part in that blessed resurrection of Christ!

In Eph 2:4-6 we are told of Christ's blessed love for His Church, and how God quickened His people, "together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Now let's see what is the fruit of this resurrection, being raised up together with Christ.

We are His workmanship, "Created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them," Eph 2:10.