Scripture References: Romans 6:1-14 (main text); Romans 5:1; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 1:9; 1 Corinthians 10:13
Intro: Welcome. Following our look at justification by grace (Rom 5), Paul addresses the logical question: "Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase?" (Rom 6:1). His emphatic answer is "May it never be!" This sermon explores Romans 6, revealing how God frees us not just from sin's penalty, but from its reigning power through our union with Christ.
Key Points:
- The Problem: Slavery to Sin: Before Christ, we were slaves, dominated by sin's power.
- The Solution: Union with Christ's Death & Resurrection (vv. 3-11):
- Fact 1: We Died with Christ: Through faith ("baptism into Christ"), we were spiritually united with Jesus in His death (v. 3). Our old self, the person enslaved to sin, was "crucified with him" (v. 6). Sin’s mastery over us was broken. "He who has died is freed from sin" (v. 7). This is a past-tense, accomplished fact declared by God.
- Fact 2: We Are Raised with Christ: Just as Christ was raised to new life, we too were raised with Him to "walk in newness of life" (v. 4). We are now alive to God in Christ Jesus (v. 11).
- Our Response: Know, Consider, Present (vv. 11-13): Paul commands three responses based on these facts:
- KNOW the Truth (v. 6, 9): Understand and believe God's declaration: your old self died with Christ; sin's reign is broken.
- CONSIDER (Reckon) it True (v. 11): Actively align your thinking with this reality. Put yourself in the correct "column"—dead to sin's rule, alive to God's rule in Christ. Think according to your new location/identity.
- PRESENT Yourself to God (vv. 12-13): Take responsibility. Actively choose not to let sin reign in your body by offering its parts ("members") as instruments for unrighteousness. Instead, present yourself wholly to God as instruments for righteousness. Make wise choices aligned with your new nature.
- New Identity: Slaves of Righteousness (vv. 14, 18): "Sin shall not be master over you, for you are... under grace." Our fundamental identity has changed. We are no longer primarily "sinners trying to be good," but "saints (slaves of righteousness) who sometimes sin." This new identity makes righteousness feel like home and sin feel foreign.
- Dealing with Failure (1 John 1:9): When we do sin, it doesn't negate our new identity. We don't despair or hide. We confess immediately, receive God's faithful forgiveness, resist the accuser, and stand firm in grace. No temptation is truly unbeatable (1 Cor 10:13).
Conclusion: Grace doesn't lead to careless living; it leads to freedom! Through union with Christ, God has decisively broken sin's dominion over us and given us a new identity as slaves of righteousness, alive to Him. We live this out by knowing this truth, reckoning it true in our minds, and actively presenting ourselves to God.
Call to Action: Know who you are in Christ: dead to sin's rule, alive to God. Consider this your reality today. When tempted, remind yourself of your freedom and new identity. Make conscious choices to present your body—your time, energy, thoughts, actions—to God as instruments for His righteousness. When you fail, run quickly back to His grace.
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