Paul writes to combat the Gnostic teachers and their emphasis on special knowledge. He explains that we receive a new identity when we enter a relationship with God. "Being dead" involves separation from God but being "alive" is being united with God. Being united with God means we receive this new identity. Living out our identity means we become who we are in four ways: 1) having the perspective that God is at work; 2) being secure in our identity; 3) having confidence we are forgiven; and 4) staying united with God and other Christians.
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0.75
1.0
1.25
1.5
1.75
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2.25
2.5