Jesus acted as a great representative for us all. His death on the cross was, in effect, the death of all His people. Through Him, every believer satisfied the demands of justice and made things right with God for their sins. The apostle Paul found joy in knowing that he died with Christ on that cross. More than just agreeing with this truth, he held onto it as his hope.

Because of Christ's death, Paul knew he stood right with God. Isn't it a blessing when we, too, can lay our souls on Christ's cross and say, "I'm dead to sin, free from the law, because in my Savior I've borne the curse. In my Substitute, every condemnation has been fulfilled, for I'm crucified with Christ." But Paul experienced even more. He felt the power of Christ's death, which killed his old sinful nature.

When faced with sin's temptations, he could say, "I can't enjoy this: I'm dead to it." This is every believer's experience. Receiving Christ means being dead to the world but alive to God. The Christian life is a wonderful mystery. No outsider can grasp it; even believers struggle to fully understand. Dead but alive! Crucified with Christ and also risen in new life! Being linked with Jesus brings joy and detachment from sin. May we experience more of this joy.