DEAD TO SIN BUT ALIVE TO GOD
Romans 5:6-11; 6:1-23
The
Church in Rome was thriving before Paul the apostle got to Rome. Some people
say that it was Peter who established the Church in Rome but there is no
historical evidence to support this. Many of the pilgrims who went to Jerusalem
for the Feast of Pentecost would have returned as Christians (3000 were
converted on that last day). The pronouncement of Christ in (John 7:37-39) was
fulfilled. He brought the Water of Salvation to a thirsty world. His death on
the Cross and His resurrection would bring reconciliation with God. Many gentile
believers were part of the Church in Rome.
Paul’s message of the grace of God was very powerful. Some began to act
like the grace of God permits them to continue to sin. The Holy Spirit through
Paul corrected that notion. Grace does not licence us to continue in our sins. Believers
in Christ are dead to sin and alive to God in righteousness.
1. GOD’S LOVE JUSTIFIED US WHILE STILL SINNERS
(Rom.5:6-11)
The
message of the grace of God is very liberating. It is meant to be. Our
redemption was accomplished while we were yet sinners (Rom.5:8; Eph.1:3-7;
2:1-7). We are freed from condemnation. We are justified freely through the
death and resurrection of Christ. All our past sins have been wiped off the
record (Rom.4:7-8; Psalm 32:1-3). No wonder the book of life is just one book
(Rev.20:11-15). We have peace with God (Rom.5:1). God no longer counts us as
enemies. The wrath of God is not upon us anymore. All this is done for us by
grace through faith. Where sin abounded before, the grace of God did much more
abound (Rom.5:20; 8:33-39).When we become reconciled with God, no one can bring
any charge against us before God! Nothing can separate us from the love of
Christ. We are no longer under the curse of the Law (Ga.3:13). We are justified
or made right by faith in Christ Jesus (Acts 13:39; 1Cor.6:11). Remember there
is no other way of being justified except through faith in Christ (Jer.2:22).
2. GOD’S GRACE GIVES NO LICENCE TO SIN (Rom.6:1-10;
8:29)
The
apostle was dealing with Christians who at that time saw the grace of God as
something that freed them from being accountable for their sins. God’s grace
does not encourage us to sin. The debate that has divided evangelical
Christians is whether a saved Christian can be lost again. Many evangelical
teachers say that a truly saved Christian cannot be lost. When you confront
them with Mat.7:21-23), they say that those people were never saved in the
first place. Many wonderful scriptures are sited (John 10:27-29). But what does
the apostle Peter say (2Pet.2:19-22)? In (Ezekiel 18:24) we read God's mind. One point is clear, sin can never enter
heaven (Rev.21:27). The believer is metaphorically called the Temple of God
(1Cor.3:16-17). We are thus commanded to keep the Temple of God holy. The
warning of the Holy Spirit in (Eph.5:1-7) cannot be ignored. Neither can the
one in (1John 3:6-10).
3. UNION WITH CHRIST MAKES US DEAD TO SIN AN ALIVE
TO GOD (Rom.6:11-23)
Christ
is sinless. Christ in us is our hope of glory. When we are united with Christ
we are dead to sin and alive unto godliness. When we are united with Christ, we
are no longer under the dominion of sin. Old things have passed away. We are
metaphorically crucified with Christ yet alive (Gal.2:20; 5:24). Let us follow
the instruction of the Holy Spirit:
(i)
Recon yourself to be dead to sin but
alive to God
(ii)
Do not let sin reign your mortal body
(iii)
Do not yield your members as
instruments of sin – those instruments belong to Christ now
(iv)
Yield yourself to God and your
members as instruments of righteousness
It
is very important to note that the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is
eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore sin will not have
dominion over us. Enjoy your freedom in Christ. Nothing can separate you from
the love of Christ. But DO NOT turn the grace of God to licence to sin. Instead
reckon yourself to be dead to sin but alive to God through Jesus Christ
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