God had to make us alive because after being crucified with Christ, believers were dead in the tomb and needed resurrection power to enter new life.
Scripture teaches that believers are identified with Christ's death and burial, but God does not leave them in the tomb. Just as Christ rose, believers are made alive with Him through God's power. This new life is essential because it breaks the power of old Adam and enables believers to live for God.
Ephesians 2:1 — States that believers were dead in trespasses and sins, showing the need for God to make them alive.
Romans 6:4 — Links burial with Christ to walking in newness of life, implying the necessity of resurrection.
Galatians 2:20 — Describes being crucified with Christ yet living, showing the dual reality of death and new life.
Ephesians 2:1 declares that believers were 'dead in trespasses and sins,' indicating a spiritual state of death. Romans 6:4 explains that as Christ was raised from the dead, believers are also raised to 'walk in newness of life.' Galatians 2:20 states, 'I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.' This shows that crucifixion and resurrection are both part of the believer's experience. Without being made alive, believers would remain dead in the tomb, but Scripture affirms that they are raised with Christ to live a new life.
Les Feldick explains that God had to make believers alive because after being crucified with Christ, old Adam is put to death, and believers are placed in the tomb with Him. However, God does not leave believers in that state, just as He did not leave Christ in the tomb. He raises believers with Christ in resurrection power, giving them new life. This new life is not something believers achieve on their own; it is entirely an act of God's power. Believers are made alive to live day by day in the flesh, enabled by Christ's indwelling presence and His work on their behalf.
Believers are made alive through their identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. When they believe the gospel, God reckons them as having died with Christ, and they are raised with Him to newness of life. This is entirely God's doing, not a human effort. The power that raised Christ from the dead is the same power that makes believers alive.
When believers are made alive, old Adam is crucified with Christ and put to death. His power over daily behavior is broken, though he remains present in experience. The new life that comes from being made alive gives believers the ability to live differently, no longer serving sin.
No, being made alive does not remove believers from the world. They continue to live in the flesh and face the pressures of daily life. However, they are enabled to cope because of Christ's faithfulness and His indwelling presence. The new life empowers them to live victoriously.
Crucified With Christ and Living
Les explains that being crucified with Christ results in new life because old Adam is dead, and Christ lives in the believer.
Resurrection Life Begins
Les teaches that after death with Christ, life really begins through resurrection, making being alive essential.
Dead to Old Adam
Les connects being dead to old Adam at belief, which necessitates being alive in Christ.
Resurrected in Newness of Life
Les shows that believers are seen in Christ's resurrection and thus must be alive.
Resurrection is Fundamental
Les stresses that the resurrection is essential to faith, and believers live with Christ because of it.
Old Crucified, Made Alive
Les explains that believers were dead in trespasses but made alive; old Adam is crucified.
Resurrected Out of the Tomb
Les describes that believers go into the tomb with Christ and are resurrected out of it, so they must be alive.
Alive Though Crucified
Les illustrates that even though believers are crucified, they are alive and have a duty to live for God.
Ephesians 2:1: And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
This verse directly states the condition of being dead, which requires God to make alive.
Romans 6:4: Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Links burial with Christ to walking in new life, emphasizing the need for resurrection.
Romans 6:8: Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
Assures that death with Christ leads to living with Him, affirming the necessity of being made alive.
Galatians 2:20: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Shows the believer is crucified yet alive, indicating that God makes them alive through Christ.
No, believers still have the old Adamic nature and may sin, but God has broken its power. The new life gives us the ability to live for God, though we still struggle.
No, it is entirely an act of God's power. When we believe, God reckons us as crucified with Christ and raises us to new life; we cannot accomplish this on our own.
Because if we are dead with Christ, we must also be raised with Him. The resurrection is fundamental, as it demonstrates God's power to give new life.
Watch the Teaching: What Does It Mean to Be Crucified With Christ?