A New Life in Christ

A Journey from Death to Life

There was once a man named Daniel. He had lived most of his life in darkness, making choices that seemed to bring him happiness but ultimately left him feeling empty. No matter how much he tried to fill the void in his heart, nothing worked. One day, he heard about Jesus—the One who could forgive sins and give a new life. Could this really be true? Could he truly leave behind his past and step into something new?

Buried with Christ

Read Romans 6:1-4

As Daniel listened, he learned that through Jesus’ death, people could be forgiven. It wasn’t just about saying sorry—it was about dying to the old self and stepping into something new.

He imagined a river, deep and flowing. When someone was baptized, it was like being buried beneath those waters. When they rose again, they were no longer the same. They were made new.

“What does this mean about sin?” Daniel asked.

The answer was clear: Sin had no power over those who belonged to Christ. They had been washed clean, free to walk in a brand-new way.

Raised to Life

Read Romans 6:5-11

Daniel continued his journey of faith, discovering that those who follow Jesus are called to live as He lived.

“But how can I be like Jesus?” he wondered. “I’ve done so many wrong things.”

The answer came from Scripture: Just as Jesus died and rose again, so must His followers. That meant letting go of sinful desires and choosing God’s ways instead.

Sin had once controlled him, but now Daniel saw that it was a defeated enemy. Jesus had already won the battle, and all Daniel had to do was trust and obey.

Turning Away from Sin

Read Romans 6:12

Temptation was everywhere. Daniel felt it pulling at him, trying to drag him back to his old ways.

“Why is it so hard to resist?” he asked.

He realized that turning away from sin meant fully surrendering to God. He couldn’t just avoid sin—he had to actively give himself to the One who saved him. The more he followed Jesus, the less power sin had over him.

“But what does it mean that I was ‘dead’ before?” Daniel asked his friend, an older believer.

His friend explained, “You were dead in your sins—separated from God. But now, through Jesus, you are alive. You are free.”

A Slave to Sin or a Servant of God?

Read Romans 6:15

Daniel was struck by a hard truth: Everyone is a slave to something. He had to choose—would he be a slave to sin or a servant of God? There was no middle ground.

He thought about his past. He had been trapped, unable to break free. Sin had controlled him. But now, he saw that choosing God meant stepping into true freedom.

“What side do I want to be on?” he asked himself. The answer was clear—he wanted to belong to Jesus.

Sin’s Trap

Read Romans 6:19

His friend gave him an example: “Sin is like a black hole. The more you fall into it, the harder it is to escape.”

Daniel thought about a time when he had lied. At first, it was just a small lie. But soon, one lie led to another, and before he knew it, deception became a habit.

“Why is it so easy to keep sinning?” he asked.

“Because when we sin, we pull away from God,” his friend answered. “But if we stay close to Him, He gives us strength to resist.”

Daniel saw the truth. He needed to stay close to God, not just avoid sin. Only a heart devoted to God could truly resist temptation.

Choosing Righteousness

Read Romans 6:20

Without God, Daniel had once been free from righteousness. But that wasn’t freedom—it was emptiness. Now, he saw that true freedom came from choosing righteousness, even when it was hard.

“Why should I choose righteousness?” he asked.

His friend smiled. “Because God’s ways lead to everlasting joy. Sin only gives temporary pleasure, but righteousness gives eternal life.”

The Gift of Life

Read Romans 6:23

Daniel had one final question: “What happens if someone stays in sin?”

The answer was sobering. “The wages of sin is death,” his friend said. “But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.”

Daniel understood. He had a choice—death or life, sin or God. And he knew what he wanted.

From that moment on, Daniel chose life. He chose Jesus. And his journey of faith had only just begun.

Your Choice

Just like Daniel, we all have a choice to make. Will we stay trapped in sin, or will we step into the new life that Jesus offers? God’s gift is free, but we must accept it. What will you choose today?

Summary

Daniel lived a life trapped in sin, feeling empty and lost. When he learned about Jesus, he discovered that true freedom comes from surrendering to God. Through baptism, he symbolically died to his old self and rose to a new life in Christ. As he followed Jesus, he realized he had to choose between being a slave to sin or a servant of God. He learned that sin pulls people into a dark cycle, but righteousness brings eternal joy. Understanding that the wages of sin is death, but God offers the gift of eternal life, Daniel chose to walk with Christ, beginning a new journey of faith.