Romans 6:1-14
Knowing the Gospel
Paul asks rhetorically in Romans 6:1, “Should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace?” Anyone who thinks that sinning more brings about extra grace has failed to appreciate the gospel. God’s grace not only involves justification (i.e., being forgiven) but also sanctification (i.e., being transformed), which starts with knowing that we spiritually participate in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
Claiming the Gospel
Sanctification continues with understanding that we are “dead to the power of Sin and alive to God.” A “dead” relationship with Sin means freedom from it. A “living” relationship with Christ brings about hope, peace, and joy. All the blessings previously mentioned are only materialized when we believe and claim God’s love for us. An intellectual nod to the gospel is not enough. We must make the “good news” ours (v. 11).
Experiencing the Gospel
Besides having intellectual and relational aspects, the gospel is also experiential. Santification climaxes with living out the truth of salvation we have come to revere. Christ gives us the opportunity to experience the “abundant life” only He can impart (John 10:10). God’s grace not only covers us when we accept Jesus as our Savior but also changes our ways of thinking and feeling.
Still, we need to answer the question, “How can we break free from our sinful tendencies right now?” Let us go to the Scriptures and find the answer together in Romans 6:1-14!
Reflection Questions
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What insights about baptism do you get from Paul in Romans 6:3-4?
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In what way(s) can we claim the gospel and “consider” or “count” ourselves “dead to sin but alive to God” (Romans 6:11)?
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We all struggle with sinful tendencies. Even after accepting Jesus, we might not get rid of them. What is sanctification supposed to look like if we can’t do away with our natural yet unholy inclinations? What, then, does it mean to “not let sin reign,” like Paul says in Romans 6:12?