Christians, You Are Dead to Sin

“Consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus” – Romans 6:11

Many Christians today still believe we are bound to a sin nature. But the finished work of the cross is exactly what crucified our sin. “You’re a sinner and you’re always gonna sin” is the phrase I never stopped hearing the first several years of my Christian life. In Romans chapter 6, however, the apostle Paul seems to express the exact opposite . “How shall we who died to sin still live in it” (Romans 6:2). While Christians today might believe we’re always going to sin, the bible begs the question, how can we sin? While these two beliefs stand in polar opposites, understanding becomes critical as it will determine how our lives are lived and whether or not we give Jesus the reward of His suffering.

“For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace”  (Roman’s 6:14). Romans chapter 6 speaks clearly on our freedom from sin. From verses 3 to 7, we see a beautiful description of what it means to enter into the baptism of Christ. “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). From this chapter alone we see that the price Jesus paid for was not only to pay the debt of our sin, but also to give us a brand new life that is far different than our old life. Therefore, if we continue to believe that our sin is still alive and active in our bodies after receiving the gospel, we’re then believing that Jesus died for nothing.

From this point, there are two main concerns that rise from those who find this hard to believe. One has to do with the issue of temptation: why do we still get tempted and why do we fall into it at times? The other is the concern of pride: not wanting to be puffed up and think that we’re better than anyone else.

But the answer to these two concerns are very simple. “If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous” (1John 2:1). In regard to temptation, the righteousness Jesus gave us does not mean we don’t have the choice to sin. But as the verse says, it`s “if” we sin and not “when” we sin, therefore the expectation if sin should never be. But if we ever sin, just come back to Jesus like you did at first. Did you know that Jesus was tempted in every way that we are yet was without sin (Hebrews 4:15)? Because He was tempted by even His own flesh, would you consider Him sinful? No, He was the spotless lamb who was slain. Therefore, the new nature Jesus gave us (if we choose to believe it) is the same nature in which He walked on this earth.  “The one who says He abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked” (1John 2:6).

In regard to the concern of pride, if you believe the gift of God gives you reason for entitlement or to boast in your own ability to live righteously, then you have fallen into that temptation and need to repent. But it is, however, impossible to be prideful by receiving what God has given you as gift. Therefore, in receiving God`s gift of righteousness, our confidence remains in Him with thankfulness that is absent from shame. For why would we have shame if God has already cleansed us? “By His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, ‘let the one who boasts boast in the Lord’” (1Corinthians 1:30-31).

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20). Christian, the Holy Spirit dwells in you. Therefore, you’re holy as He is holy; Perfect as He is perfect. Receive His gift and rejoice.