We too are crucified with Christ if we have repented and accepted the blood of Jesus Christ. Death is sin's penalty, and when a person has died his sins are paid for. Christ's representative death applies to each person and God begins to see us as dead. Christ's death substitutes for ours and the Bible concedes us as being crucified with Him so that the law of penalty is satisfied. This aspect of death is sobering and some people go through it to a very intense degree. God considers us dead because through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ our sins which should have killed us have been paid for and therefore we are dead. God resurrects us out of the watery grave to teach that even as Jesus Christ was raised to newness of life from flesh and blood to spirit life we too have been raised legally from the grave to newness of life walking in the spirit. The purpose is so that we might know God because knowing God is eternal life. In this we are brought to real holiness walking with God coming to know Him. We are resurrected to newness of life and in this new life Jesus Christ is the dynamic around which this life revolves. In order to get to this position we have to first die. Paul wanted to be made conformable unto Christ's death and also come to know the fellowship the communion the participation in His sufferings. Christ's redeeming work is not merely seen as substitutionary but also representative. All Christians are identified with His crucifixion with His death with His burial and His resurrection.

The crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ occupy the major part of the four accounts because they show the path that must be followed. As He is so are we in this world. Those in Christ share one body with Him as the head. What the head experiences the body experiences. Christ trod the path of suffering and death. Those on the same path experience the death of self. This death does not occur in one giant step. It takes place in the common everyday acts of truth and faithfulness. The old man must be put to death. This is how life is produced by the death of the seed. If one died with Christ why continue in worldly ways. If one dies to sin one will be resurrected. Sin equals death. Resurrection from death in trespasses and sins is a present reality for those made alive in Him. The flesh is designed to die and all that it does will perish with it. There is no such thing once a person becomes a Christian of having the best of both worlds. The way is either that of Cain or that of God.