Alive in Christ

Haiku responding to Romans 6: 1-11

What then shall we say?

Shall we continue to sin

so that grace may grow?

That would be stupid!

How can we who died to sin

keep living in it?

Don't you grasp the fact:

being baptised into Christ,

we share in his death?

We're buried with Christ

through baptism; just as he

was raised, we are too.

We share his new life.

Joined into his death, we'll join

in his risen life.

Our old selves are dead,

including our sinfulness;

we're set free from sin.

If we died with Christ

we will also live with him;

death has lost its hold!

Consider yourselves

dead to sin, and made alive

to God through Jesus.

© Ken Rookes 2026

Christ also suffered

Haiku responding to 1 Pt 3:13-22

Can anyone harm

you if you eagerly do

those things that are good?

But if you suffer

for doing what is right, you

are blessed. Do not fear.

Live out Christ's lordship,

being always ready to

account for your hope.

Speak with gentleness,

keep your conscience clear; then none

can abuse your name.

Better to suffer

for good deeds than for evil.

God will be with you.

Christ also suffered;

the righteous for unrighteous,

bringing us to God.

He died in the flesh,

came alive in the spirit,

proclaimed hope for all.

Only eight were saved

by the ark through the waters;

baptism saves all.

It's not the cleansing

that saves; Christ's resurrection

achieves God's favour.

© Ken Rookes 2026