Dying to Self

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.” (Romans 6:1–2)

Romans 6 is like a driver’s manual for the Christian life. After celebrating our justification in Romans 5—Christ paying sin’s penalty and righteousness counted to us—Paul shows the next grace-gift: sanctification. In Christ, we’re not only forgiven; we’re freed. Grace doesn’t make sin safe; grace makes holiness possible.

1) A Presumption to Avoid

God’s grace is not a license to live as we please. Paul’s “God forbid” is the strongest possible “No!” True grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Titus 2:11–14). To use grace to excuse sin is to misinterpret Scripture and to reveal a misdirected heart.

2) A Position to Acknowledge

Believers are united with Christ: crucified, buried, and raised with Him (Romans 6:3–5).

• Crucified with Christ: our “old man” was nailed to the cross so we “should not serve sin” (v. 6).
• Buried with Christ: the old life is put away.
• Raised with Christ: we now “walk in newness of life” (v. 4). This is normal Christianity—not sinless perfection, but real freedom from sin’s rule.

3) A Process to Activate

Sanctification is lived by daily choices:

• Reckon: “Count” it true that you are dead to sin and alive to God (v. 11). Start each day from your new identity in Christ, not your old habits.
• Yield: Don’t offer your body as an instrument for sin; present yourself to God as alive from the dead (vv. 12–13). Victory grows where devotion deepens.

Bottom line: Jesus didn’t just die for you; you died with Him. And He now lives in you. So don’t let sin reign. Reckon the gospel true in your everyday life, and yield your whole self to God. That’s how grace moves us from forgiven to free—from old ways to newness of life in Jesus Christ our Lord.