Paul made it clear to the Romans that salvation came through faith in Jesus Christ and not by works or the law of Moses. The apostle also identified Adam as the first sinner whose trespass was shed onto all men and women.
Paul mentioned Christ’s sacrifice and how He died so that we could live, a gift that far surpasses Adam’s impact on his seed which leads to death.
The fact God’s grace is shown in spite of sin brings controversy among the world as false teachers claim without sin God’s grace is futile. It is because of repentance from sin that God’s grace is such a great gift, not because of sin itself.
“1What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?” (Romans 6:1)
Posing a rhetorical question allows Paul to reinforce the truth about God’s grace, that it is omnipresent and not in proportion with sin, but according to repentance from sin. Here the apostle separates himself from antinomianism by indicating believers are dead to sin through Jesus Christ.
“2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” (Romans 6:2-3)
According to scripture those who believe in Jesus Christ should be baptized in water which seals the covenant between a believer and Jesus Christ. Through baptism a believer is buried and risen from the dead with Christ.
“4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:4)
Water baptism allows for believers to publicly display their union with Jesus Christ. A public confession of faith in God and His son, as a believer is submerged under water symbolizing the death of Christ then risen out of the water in a symbolic rebirth, water baptisms are biblically inspired celebrations of one’s faith in Jesus Christ.
“5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.” (Romans 6:5)
As believers are buried with Christ through submergence in water they are also resurrected with Him by being risen from the water. Believers are promised eternal life by God almighty as a gift freely given to those who proclaim faith in Jesus Christ.
“6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.” (Romans 6:6-7)
Our “old self” refers to the person we were before we born again through faith in Jesus Christ. Believers who accepted Jesus as our savior and repented on our sins are empowered by the Holy Spirit to resist temptation and rid ourselves of the sinful nature we were once enslaved in.
Through the death of Christ our sinful natures are dead also, our new life brings forth fruit which stems from faith and from works that glorify God.
“8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.” (Romans 6:8-9)
Here Paul uses the death and rise of Christ to symbolize our own spiritual death and rise in christ. Though physical death will come to all, spiritual life will come to those who surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ through faith in Him.
“10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.” (Romans 6:10)
Christ paid the ultimate price for our sin by shedding His blood on the cross, the fulfillment of prophecy since the dawn of time. Sin has been paid for once and for all so that those who repent from sin can now live for all eternity with Jesus christ and His father in heaven.
“11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11)
Believers should not only know we are dead to sin, we must believe we are alive in Christ through faith and water baptism.
“12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.” (Romans 6:13-13)
Through the Holy Spirit believers are empowered to resist temptation and rid ourselves of our sinful nature. Sanctified by our works, justified by His blood we are called to walk the narrow path that leads to eternal life using our bodies as holy, living sacrifices.
Therefore it is essential we maintain our bodies with utmost attention making certain we are fit of mind and body, able to partake in the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:14)
Since the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ no longer are we under the law of Moses but under the law of Christ. With love and compassion, believers are called to serve each other and bare witness to the gospel announcing the second coming of Christ to all who will listen.
Through water baptism we died with Christ then were risen from death to conquer sin just as Jesus did. Now alive in Christ we must serve God with the knowledge our works are credited to our account for His glory. Let us pray!
Father God;
We thank you for your blessings in our lives and for your servant Paul,
We praise you Lord for his wisdom and for his works through this scripture,
We ask you Lord to inspire us to use these verses in our lives
As we grow in you through the teachings of your faithful apostle.
Lord we ask you to strengthen us each day as we endure through battles,
Allow us to praise and love each other through faith in you Jesus,
Shield us from evil through truth, the gospel, salvation and prayer,
Guide us to abide by your word as we spread your gospel to one and all
Becoming examples of faith through our character as we walk the narrow path.
God we pray that you will continue to bless us, to bless our lives and fill us with hope
We ask you Lord to guide our footsteps and lead us to the way everlasting,
Through faith in you Lord we seek salvation and a place with you in heaven
According to your word, your everlasting wisdom and strength.
May your will be done
In our lives, for your life.
We thank you for your love and all you bless us with each day.
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: DanielStPierre@ThriveThroughChrist.com
