By Jenn Killpack, Director of Communications and High Priest Quorum President

What then are we to say? Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Romans 6 provides a powerful framework for understanding the transformative nature of Christian faith. Paul emphasizes the concept of dying to sin and being raised to new life in Christ through baptism, symbolizing a radical break from the past and a commitment to a new way of living.

In October 2019, I attended the National Council of Churches’ annual Christian Unity Gathering, with the theme “Ending Racism: Confronting Our Past, Revisiting Our Present, and Naming God’s Preferred Future.” One of the most moving moments was a solemn ceremony at Point Comfort, Virginia, marking the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in North America.

During the ceremony, we walked to the edge of the water where a historic marker stands, heard prayers and laments, and listened to stories under the Algernourne Oak tree. At the end of the experience, participants placed black-eyed Susan flowers—symbols of justice—at the water’s edge while singing “Amazing Grace.” This act of remembrance and lament acknowledged the painful history of slavery while calling us to commit to a new way forward.

Standing in solidarity with other Christians that day reminded me of Paul’s call to let our old selves be crucified with Christ. Just as baptism represents a break from sin and a new life in Christ, this moment called us to leave behind old ways of injustice and embrace God’s vision for justice and reconciliation. God’s unending grace empowers us to confront systemic racism and actively engage in building a future rooted in equality and love. By dying to injustice and rising to new life in Christ, we can move toward God’s preferred future—a world marked by justice, peace, and love.

Prayer Phrase

“And all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

Abundant Blessings

At the close of the day, reflect on where you noticed God’s blessings, especially in unexpected places. Offer a prayer of thanks and try to release any worry, trusting that God’s abundance will meet you again tomorrow.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.