Dead Reckoning
Dead reckoning is about trusting in the absolute truth of our identification with Christ, even when our experiences may not align.
Theodore Epp emphasizes the concept of 'reckoning' in the Christian faith, asserting that it is based on absolute truths rather than feelings or experiences. He explains that believers are to reckon themselves dead to sin and alive to God because of the factual reality of Christ's death and resurrection. Epp reassures that even when believers fail to live out this truth, it does not change the fact of their identification with Christ. He highlights that this transformation from death to life is a one-time event that occurs at the moment of belief, urging believers to trust in God's word regarding these truths.
Text
Romans 6:11-14
Reckoning is based on absolute truth. We are not called upon to reckon something to be true that is not really true.
It is true that Christ died for us and that when we believed in Him as Saviour, we died with Him. That's a fact. In that He lives, we also live. That's a fact.
So reckoning is based on facts, not on experience. I do not reckon myself to be dead to sin because I feel dead. I don't reckon myself to be alive to God because I feel alive.
Experience is important in its place, but it does not determine truth. But knowing what is true, we must reckon it to be true, and then the proper experience will follow.
Perhaps you say, "But I failed Him after I reckoned on the fact that I had died to sin; therefore, I must not be dead to sin." No, it is still a fact.
Even when a believer does not behave as though he were dead to sin and alive to God, these are still accomplished facts. That is what salvation is all about. Being born again means we have passed from death to life.
Our identification with Christ in His death is not progressive; that is, we do not die a little bit at a time. Our understanding of the significance of our identification with Him may come gradually, but the fact of our death with Him has been accomplished once for all.
Also, we do not become alive to God a little bit at a time; that, too, is once for all. We passed from death to life the moment we believed (John 5:24) and are transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light (Col. 1:13).
We need to take God at His word concerning these accomplished facts.
"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Gal. 6:14).
Sermon Outline
- Dead Reckoning
- Our identification with Christ
- Taking God at His word
- We need to trust in the accomplished facts of salvation
- God's word is our authority
Key Quotes
“Reckoning is based on absolute truth. We are not called upon to reckon something to be true that is not really true.” — Theodore Epp
“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” — Theodore Epp
Application Points
- Trust in the accomplished facts of salvation, even when your experiences may not align.
- Take God at His word and don't rely on your feelings or experiences.
- Remember that your identification with Christ is a fact, not something you earn or achieve.