September 26, 2024

Romans 6:1-14 (HCSB)
The New Life in Christ
6 What should we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply? 2 Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life.
5 For if we have been joined with Him in the likeness of His death, we will certainly also be in the likeness of His resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that sin’s dominion over the body may be abolished, so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin, 7 since a person who has died is freed from sin’s claims. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him, 9 because we know that Christ, having been raised from the dead, will not die again. Death no longer rules over Him. 10 For in light of the fact that He died, He died to sin once for all; but in light of the fact that He lives, He lives to God. 11 So, you too consider yourselves 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 desires. 13 And do not offer any parts of it to sin as weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness. 14 For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under law but under grace.

Katlyn Hardin
When Paul penned this letter, Rome was a melting pot of diversity, trade, people groups, religions, and a culture where certain sins were normalized. Much like today (there is nothing new under the sun!), temptation of sin is all around. Yet, God’s gift of grace still abounds to those in Christ as we live amid cultural sin and similar temptations. Leading up to chapter 6, Paul explained their position in Christ and how His grace is continuing to be multiplied to them. Now he asks the believers in Rome “Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply?” The answer: “Absolutely not!” Reading this chapter leads me to reflect and do a heart check of where in my life I may be believing the lie that sin is no big deal. Far be it from me that I should take sin so lightly. In vs. 2-3, Paul certainly asks the believers a sobering question–“How can we who died to sin still live in it?” When we, as believers, neglect to acknowledge the seriousness of sin it is easy to allow it to run rampant in our daily living and choices–especially when it is all around us and we have easy access to it. As believers, when we sin against our Father, the Holy Spirit will convict us, and as we repent, Christ offers forgiveness. However, it is important to keep in mind that sin always disrupts our communion with God, and it is for this communion that the Father sent Christ to reconcile us.
Paul is not condemning believers here or telling them to be perfect (that’s impossible), but he is pointing out that thinking sin is “no big deal” does not lead to the life of freedom Christ died to give us. Be encouraged saints! We are not in this alone and it is the sanctifying work of the Spirit in us as we choose each day to surrender ourselves to God as weapons of righteousness.