Say No to Sin! (Romans 6:1-14)

Over the past few weeks, we have been rehearsing the reality that you are justified in Christ. Because of that you no longer need to fear sin. You have been forgiven. Last week we discussed the fact that we have a representative in Christ that has placed his righteousness on us. So that when we stand before God we will be clothed in His righteousness. This means that you are forgiven your sin and you can overcome your sin. 

Perhaps as you contemplated these things you responded in your heart with one of three responses. Maybe you thought, What a wonderful truth. But it doesn’t seem like a reality. I struggle so much with sin and feel that I am nowhere near where I should be in my Christian life. Perhaps your encouragement was mixed with a little bit of frustration that you are still in a major battle with sin. Or maybe you thought, So and so really needs this. I hope they are listening. While you would never voice it, you thought, I really don’t need this myself, I am good, but that other person really needs this. Or maybe you thought that because Christ is your representative you are righteous in Christ, so it really doesn’t matter if you are not living for God. God is love and full of forgiveness, so you are free to live how you want and pursue what you want. 

Paul turns to the very real struggle with sin in the next two chapters. The first issue that Paul addresses in this text deals with the questions: Does it really matter how a Christian lives? Are we free to live however we want? After all, we are forgiven and no longer face God’s wrath.