Reflections of Grace
ALIVE TO GOD
Scripture
Romans 6:1-11
1What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?2By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?3Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?4We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.5For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.6We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.7For one who has died has been set free from sin.8Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.9We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.10For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.11So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Reflect
- 1.Paul says, "Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?" When have you been tempted to treat God's grace as a license to keep sinning, and how does that reveal a misunderstanding of what grace actually does?
- 2.How does knowing that you have been "buried with him" change the way you view your old identity and its power over you?
- 3.Verse 5 promises that if we have been united with him in death, we shall certainly be united with him in resurrection. How does the certainty of resurrection hope reframe your present struggle?
- 4.Verse 11 commands us to "consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus." What would change in your daily decisions if you truly believed and acted on the reality that sin no longer has dominion over you?
Exposition
Sometimes we misunderstand grace. We know God forgives, so we may slowly become casual about the very sins Jesus died to break. We say, “God will understand,” while ignoring the damage sin does to our hearts, our relationships, and our walk with him. But Paul asks a strong question: how can we who died to sin still live in it?
reminds us that grace is not permission to stay the same. Grace brings us into union with Christ. Through Jesus, our old life has been put to death, and a new life has begun. We are not merely forgiven people trying harder. We are people joined to the crucified and risen Savior. What happened to Jesus now shapes who we are.
That’s our hope because sin no longer has the final claim over us. The old self was crucified with Christ. The chains may feel familiar, but they are no longer our master. Sin may still tempt, but it does not own. Christ did not rise so we could decorate our old prison. He rose so we could walk out into new life.
So today, do not live as if you are still trapped. When temptation comes, remember who you are in Christ. When guilt speaks, remember that Jesus died and rose again. When old habits call your name, answer with the truth: that is not my master anymore. You are dead to sin and alive to God. Walk like someone grace has made new.
Prayer
“Father, thank you that through Jesus I am no longer a slave to sin. Forgive me for treating grace lightly or returning to what you have set me free from. Help me believe the truth of my new life in Christ and walk in it today. Give me strength to turn from sin and live for you with a grateful heart.”
LWNRA · Daily Word