Paul began his letter to the Romans by demonstrating that all of humanity, both Jew and Gentile, are unrighteous and sinful. He then introduced a righteousness of God that is given by faith to all who believe.
Then, starting in the sixth chapter of Romans, Paul addressed the issue of sin in the believer’s life. Since we have been justified through the blood of Jesus and have received a righteousness from God, what practical impact should that have on my life? Since I now have God’s righteousness, does it matter if I continue to sin?
In the early part of the sixth chapter of Romans, Paul painted a picture of Christ crucified, buried, and resurrected. But it was not just Jesus who hung on the cross, was placed in the tomb, and rose from the dead. Paul tells us that all of us who are baptized in Christ were baptized into his death (Rom. 6:3). To be baptized in Christ is to be immersed in him, to come to be “in Christ.”
If we are in Christ, something fundamental has changed in our lives. The person we were before has been crucified with Christ, and we have been delivered from our bondage to sin (Rom. 6:6-7). And now, having participated in his resurrection, we have a new life that we can live for God (Rom. 6:8-10).
So now, as a new person in Christ, what about sin? As a believer, you will quickly discover that, although the old sinful nature was crucified on the cross of Christ, it still seems to have a life of its own. What do I do with that old nature?
Consider Yourself Dead to Sin
So you too consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires,
Romans 6:11-12 NET
As long as I live in this flesh, I will face the temptation to sin in one form or another. But I have been raised with Christ into a new life. And I should consider myself to be dead to sin but alive to God. Rather than letting sin reign in my life, I can resist it and give myself to God instead (Rom. 6:13-14).
So whenever sin rears its ugly head, enticing me to sin, I can remind it that it’s dead and no longer has any power over me. I no longer have to give in to its temptation. I can, and should, choose instead to honor God in all I do.
