Romans 6:1–14 - 1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. What does today’s passage say? In today's passage, Paul strongly refutes the twisted idea that God's abundant grace excuses ongoing sin (vv. 1-2). He explains our spiritual rebirth: through unity with Christ, our old self was crucified, freeing us from slavery to sin's mastery since a dead man is freed from sin (vv. 3-7). Furthermore, just as Christ's resurrection conquered death's grip forever, we too now walk in new, eternal resurrection life with Him, having died and been raised with Christ (vv. 8-11). Therefore, we must not let sin continue controlling our mortal bodies. Rather, we should offer ourselves completely to God as instruments of righteousness (vv. 12-13) which is possible because we are under grace, not law, releasing us from sin's domination (v. 14). How can I apply Romans 6:1-14 to my life? Today, Paul confronts the notion that God's abundance of grace provides justification for ongoing sin. He makes definitively clear that rather than perpetuating ungodly behavior, the gift of grace fuels our freedom and power to resist temptation's lure. United with Christ, our old self corrupted by deceitful desires has vanished. Reborn in Him, we now walk in resurrection power that overcomes any stubborn sin. This truth has monumental implications for how we live. No longer enslaved to selfish pursuits, we offer ourselves fully to God as instruments of righteousness for His glory. Sin's control was broken the instant we died and rose again with Christ. Here are some basic principles from this passage that we should apply to our lives:
Break Sin's Control By Considering Yourself Dead to Sin's Power (vv. 1-2): Paul sternly corrects any notion that God's grace gives us license to sin. Since we have died to sin, we must recognize that truth and live free from its mastery. Our spiritual rebirth in Christ means sin has lost its power over us, so we should not allow it to control our mortal bodies any longer. Instead, we must daily remind ourselves that sin's dominion is broken by virtue of our new position in Christ. We are dead to sin but alive in Him, which empowers us to resist temptation and walk in righteousness by the Spirit. Doing so robs sin of any foothold and enables us to experience the fullness of holy living that Christ intends. We must be vigilant to not slide back into sin's control by failing to reckon ourselves dead to it. Evaluating patterns of sin and replacing them with spiritual disciplines like Scripture reading and prayer help break sin's mastery. Claiming our power over sin leads to victory (Galatians 5:16, Romans 6:14, Titus 2:11-12)
Food for Thought: What ways has sin previously had mastery over you? How can remembering your death and resurrection with Christ empower you to resist? What safeguards can you implement to avoid rationalizing sinful choices because of God's abundant grace?
Know that Your Old Nature Was Nailed to the Cross So Sin Has No Claim Over You (vv. 5-7): When we trusted in Christ, our old self with its sinful passions was crucified with Him. This means we are no longer slaves to sin since a dead person is free from sin's control. We must daily remind ourselves that our old identity bound by sin and death is gone forever. We are new creations with Christ's resurrected life within us, which overcomes the desires of our flesh. Recognizing that truth moment by moment stops sin's influence over our choices and actions. Evaluating patterns of sin and intentionally avoiding tempting situations help us live free from sin's grasp. Replace sinful habits with prayer, Scripture reading, fellowship, and other spiritual disciplines to break sin’s power. As we walk in the Spirit, we starve the flesh and experience increasing victory through His power of the indwelling Spirit. Sin has no control over those alive in Christ other than what we give it (2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 2:20, 1 John 1:9).
Food for Thought: What sins seem to entangle you the most often? How can remembering your co-crucifixion and new life in Christ empower you to resist? What triggers temptation for you? What strategies can you implement to avoid and resist those specific temptation traps?
Trust That Sharing in Christ's Death Ensures Sharing in His Resurrection (v. 8): Our spiritual rebirth connects us to both Christ's death and resurrection. His death frees us from sin's mastery, while His resurrection provides new life to walk in righteousness. This new resurrection life is not temporary but eternal, free from decay and death. What comfort and hope that we too will live forever with Him! This assurance fuels our faith and empowers us to turn from sin. Why would we cling to passing fleshly pleasures when eternal delight awaits us? Let this hope compel you to flee sin and, through the Spirit's power, walk in newness of life each day with your eyes fixed on eternity. Staying focused on the reality that the life we now have in Christ is eternal allows us to properly value temporary earthly things. That perspective empowers us to live fully for God rather than being distracted by fleeting temptations (1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Colossians 3:1-4).
Food for Thought: How can a renewed focus on the eternal perspective motivate you to resist temptation today? What does it mean to you that your new life in Christ will never end? How should this truth impact your daily choices and priorities?
Give Yourself to God To Serve His Kingdom Since He Freed You From Sin's Grasp through His Grace (vv. 13-14): Not only has God graciously delivered us from slavery to sin, but He has also given us new life in Christ and placed us under the control of His grace rather than law. How could we not offer ourselves fully over to Him out of gratitude and joy? This means stewarding our bodies, gifts, and resources for His glory rather than earthly aims. Fixing our eyes on eternity shifts priorities from selfish gain to building God’s kingdom. Relationships take on new meaning as tools for ministry rather than simply personal fulfillment. Grace empowers us to use our redeemed position as His servants for selfless action rather than being constrained by regulations. Regularly evaluate how your time, talents and treasure are being used for eternal impact instead of temporary pleasure. Ask the Spirit to guide you continually into kingdom-building service in response to God's grace (2 Corinthians 8:7-9, Ephesians 2:8-10, Hebrews 4:16).
Food for Thought: What areas of your life still primarily serve your own interests instead of God’s? What specific actions can you take this week to intentionally steward your time, talents, relationships, or possessions for God's Kingdom out of gratitude for His grace?
Recognizing our death and resurrection with Christ is key to walking in freedom from sin's grip. Reckoning ourselves dead to sin and alive to God shifts our mindset and empowers righteous living. No longer enslaved to selfish interests, we now offer ourselves as instruments of righteousness to serve God's kingdom out of gratitude for His grace. Evaluating patterns of sin and replacing them with prayer, Scripture reading, worship, and other spiritual disciplines breaks sin's mastery. As we fill our lives with the Spirit, we experience victory and renewal into Christ's image with ever-increasing glory.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that You would help me recognize and live in light of my new identity in Christ. Empower me to daily reckon myself dead to sin but alive to You, no longer enslaved but free. Break sin's control over my life by filling me with Your Spirit moment by moment. Use me as an instrument of righteousness for Your Kingdom’s advancement. Shift my mindset to view life through an eternal lens so I properly value the temporary over the eternal. Search my heart and show me any areas still devoted to selfish gain rather than Your glory. Give me wisdom and strength to offer You my entire life as a living sacrifice of worship. Make these truths so real to me that they permeate every thought, desire, and action. I long to walk in the glorious freedom from sin's grip that You purchased at such great cost.
I pray these things in the most precious name of Jesus, Amen.
Romans 6:11 – “Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” With His Blessings, Pastor Corby
Comentários