That I may know him and the power of his resurrection…being conformable to his death. (Philippians 3:10)

“The power of the Gospel is destructive and constructive; destructive to the works of the devil, and constructive to the believer.” – Mark Hankins

The power of the Gospel is seen in both the death and resurrection of Christ. The Gospel gives you the ability to not only speak life but also to speak death to the works of the devil. The death of Christ put an end to what you were; the resurrection of Christ opened up who you are in your new identity.

Someone might say, “The doctors have told me that I have incurable cancer. They have given me only a few months to live.”  Hold it just a second–not only was there a resurrection in the Gospel, but there was also a death. So you can say, “I curse that cancer and command it to die. I speak death to that cancer.”

What does that mean? “Death” means, “cease to exist.” You can speak to works of the devil that are ruling in your life today and command them to cease to exist in the name of Jesus!

Confession: I speak to the works of the devil that are ruling my life today and command them to cease to exist in the name of Jesus! Now life comes in!

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:11)

“When you grasp the doctrine of what God has done for you in Christ, it becomes the center of your deliverance, redemption, and sanctification.” – Mark Hankins

Paul says to “reckon” or count it to be so by faith. Reckon yourself to be dead indeed unto sin but alive unto God. Sometimes you should say to yourself, “I am dead to sin.” One translation says, “inert and motionless as a corpse in response to sin.”  When sin comes around, say to it, “I am inert. I am motionless as a corpse. I am dead to sin!”

Sometimes people think if they can just get a certain evangelist to lay hands on them, their problems will go away. But your problems will remain unless you have received an understanding of who you are in Christ. The devil will try to challenge you saying, “Who do you think you are?”  Thank God for the anointing, but you must live by faith saying, “I am who God says I am.” The just shall live by faith!

Confession: I am dead indeed to sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ my Lord!

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. (Romans 6:6)

“This is the power of being dead to sin: the old man no longer exists.” – Mark Hankins

When Paul says “old man,” to whom is he referring? Other translations of Romans 6:6 say, “Our old sinful nature,”  “The old person I used to be,”  “My old inherited self,” (Jordan, Cressman, Bruce).

Here are a few things the “old man” refers to: my old sick self, my old poor self, my old confused self, my old defeated self, my old condemned self, my old guilty self, and my old sinful self was crucified with Him!

If someone were in the Mafia and decided to testify against the organization, the federal government would have to give him a new identity so that he could not be traced. He would be given a legal identity change including birth certificate, passport, etc. If anyone from his former lifestyle tried to contact him, his mail, legal notices, and bills would be returned marked,“Return to sender. No such person. No such place.”  This is the power of being dead to sin: the old man no longer exists.

Confession: My old self was crucified with Christ. I am not the same person I used to be! No such person exists!

Yes, I have shared Messiah’s crucifixion. I am living indeed, but it is not I that live, it is Messiah whose life is in me. (Galatians 2:20 | ArthurS.Way)

“There is only one escape from sin, and that is an empty tomb! – Mark Hankins

You inherited sin through your genetics. The psalmist David said, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Psalm 51:5) Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” This is why everyone has to be born again.

The only way you can get out of Adam and into Christ is to receive Him. Salvation comes through the death and resurrection of Christ. Your old man (or your old genetic self) was crucified with Christ.  

Crucifixion was common punishment for criminals in the Roman Empire in New Testament times. How could you be crucified as a criminal in the Roman Empire? The answer is this: you have to get rid of “I” and let Christ live in you. It can be quite difficult to get little “I” to move out because he really likes to run things. But when “I” moves out and Christ moves in, sin will no longer dominate you! There is only one escape from sin, and that is an empty tomb!

Confession: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. (Galatians 2:20)