n contrast to human ideas, our faith relies on oneness with Christ. Multiple metaphors are used to describe that oneness: we are said to be circumcised with Christ, buried with Him in baptism, raise with Him, made alive with Him, and our debt nailed to His cross. The overall point is that our faith relies on our constant connection to the living Christ. That personal connection provides the foundation for living out faith in Christ. One of the emphases of this passage is how guilt and shame which prevents that oneness has been taken away forever.