Note 9 at Col. 3:3: Paul states that as Christians we are "dead." Dead men can't be tempted. Dead men don't respond and can't respond. Yet each of us can attest to the pull of sin against our own lives (Rom. 7:23; Jas. 1:15). One man stated it this way, "Christians claim to be dead but I think they've only fainted."

So, in what sense have we died?

Biblically, death means separation, not annihilation. Adam and Eve didn't cease to exist when they ate of the forbidden fruit, but they did die, or become separated from God. At physical death, a person doesn't cease to exist, but his spirit and soul separate from his body. Likewise, our death to sin is a separation from sin and its penalties.

The wages of sin are death (Rom. 6:23). We were guilty of sin and the death sentence was imposed on us. But Jesus died for us, paying our debt. The scriptures teach that we were crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:20). Now we are dead to or separated from sin and its penalty which was death, or separation from God. Sin can never condemn us again. We are no longer liable for our sins in the sight of God. This is the good news of the gospel.

Note 10 at Col. 3:3: The word "hid" is used here metaphorically as something that is concealed and safe. We as Christians have not yet been glorified and perfected in our flesh but we are now justified, secure and safe in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:31-39).