Romans 6:1-14 Senior Pastor Alex Kennedy This section of Paul’s letter moves us from justification to sanctification. In the first two verses, Paul’s answer to his critics is that God’s grace not only forgives sins, but also delivers us from sinning. Grace not only justifies, but also sanctifies us by uniting us to Christ. The moment you become a Christian, you are no longer under the “reign” of sin. Having “died to sin” does not mean that sin is no longer within you, or that it has no more power and influence within you, but sin no longer can rule over you. Death to sin is separation from sin’s power, not the extinction of sin. Paul goes into 3 “know” statements to help us understand this justification. #1 – “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” When we were baptized into Him, we were joined to His killing of our sin. Baptism is a sign of our union with Christ, especially with Christ crucified and risen. It doesn’t stop there. The resurrection of Jesus was not just a resuscitation; it was a new form of life. We have the same (verse 4). There is nothing broken in your life that can’t be restored. His death on the cross became the killing of our sin and His burial became the burial of our sin. #2 – “We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” When a non-Christian sins, they are acting in accord with their identity. Of course they are going to sin. But, when a Christian sins, they are acting against their identity. Why would they sin? (We know that sanctification is a process that takes the rest of our lives to grow into.) So, if we sin as a Christian, it is because we do not realize who we are; we have forgotten what has been done for us in Christ. Verses 8-9 show us we deserved to die for our sins. In fact, we did die, thought not in our own person, but in the person of Jesus Christ our substitute, who died in our place. We have been united by faith and baptism. The old life of sin is finished because we died to it and the new life of justified sinners has begun. #3 – “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over Him.” Christ can never die again because He was raised to eternal life. Since death has no claim on or power over Him, it has no claim or power over us either because we are united with Him. Why is this important? Being “dead to sin” is like a privilege or a legal right. Thought it may be true or in force, a person may not realize or utilize the right/privilege. We must “count ourselves” dead to sin because unless we act on this great privilege, it will not automatically be realized in our experience. We must accept it, live it, and enjoy it! So, Paul is not saying that Christians cannot commit individual acts of sin, nor even that they cannot struggle with habitual sins. He is saying that they cannot go on abiding in the realm of sin. They cannot continue in it deliberately, without distaste or diminishment. Verse 12-13 gives us a command to avoid living in unrighteousness, but to live as people of righteousness. Paul encouraged believers to do two things, the converse of those things we are not to do any longer. First, “present yourselves to God” to live with and for and like Him. Second, “present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness”. So, since we have died to sin, it is unthinkable that we should let sin reign in us or offer ourselves to it. Christ died and rose. We have died and risen with Him. We must then regard ourselves as dead to sin and alive to God. And, as those who are alive from death, we must offer ourselves to His service. Verse 16 shows us that someone or something is sitting on the throne of our hearts… The 4 main idols of a human heart are: Power Control Approval Comfort/Pleasure If you allow them, these will unseat Jesus Christ from being on the throne of your heart. Questions to Consider: What is one sin or old habit you feel God has helped you leave behind? How does knowing you are freed from sin give hope for everyday life? What does it mean to “not let sin reign” in your body? Which of these 4 vies for the “throne of your heart” – power, control, approval, or comfort? Why? Ask, “Is there a habit we need to put to death as a family? How can we help each other?”