“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Rom 6: 1,2). 

I suppose it is human nature to perceive sin as freedom, at least in the beginning, but anyone who has ever tried to turn away from some compulsion or habit has probably learned quickly that sin is a terrible taskmaster. My own struggle with sin is because my new nature is in conflict with the old, not that I am saying that I have two, because the “old man,” my former self, was crucified with Christ; rather, my new nature is in conflict with the power of sin that entered the garden in Genesis 3. Honestly, Romans 6 is a chapter that I had not given proper appreciation, and I have probably not gained all that there is to receive from chapters 7 and 8, in particular, as a result. 

I have come to view Romans 6 as an adoption announcement; it is a glorious proclamation of my new identity, my new birth, my transfer from the “domain of darkness” to the kingdom of “his beloved Son” (Col 1:13). When Paul writes, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Rom 6:1,2, ESV),[1] I recognize that the apostle’s intention here is not for me to apply his words like a litmus test to evaluate the validity of my adoption, not only is that a done deal, but it is a promise that I accept on faith. Rather, a close examination of context reveals that Paul is explaining to his readers that sin is no longer a natural expression of their new nature. Not that a child of God will never sin again, even apostles post-Pentecost sinned, most notably Peter (cf. Gal 2:11-21), but whereas, before, to sin was an expression of my fallen nature, now, to sin is unnatural to me.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:23). Tobacco, idleness, sexual promiscuity, pornography, self-gratification, malice, and food are but some of the “strongholds” in my life that have fallen over the years. God’s kind patience has led me to repentance on account of my freedom (cf. Rom 2:4; 6:14), but that road seemed long then, and it is often painful to this very day, but what God has done in Christ—is finished! Satan presented rebellion as liberty, but what was released into the world that day in the garden was bondage in disguise. Thank God, grace was not far behind!

When I shifted my focus from the man I used to be to the man I am in Christ, interestingly, more and more, the influence of sin in my flesh[2]  began losing its potency. Please keep in mind that I do not claim to have it all figured out, but I am confident that God will also complete this good work that He has started in me (cf. Phil 1:6; Rom 8:29). I finally recognized that I had been living under the Law for most of my adult life, unknowingly, of course, and that is an error for which I hereby repent. I would be lying if I said that this has all been without some cognitive dissonance; after all, I have been trained up in legalism, again, unbeknownst to my trainers, I am sure, but trained up well nonetheless. What an awful burden it has been, but Christ has set me free! Yes, I am free, indeed! 

We are not our own brothers and sisters. We have been bought at a (high) price (cf. 1 Cor 6:19,20).[3]

[1] Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the English Standard Version.

[2] When the Bible refers to “the flesh” or “flesh,” there is a distinction that often gets missed. The word “soma” refers to our physical bodies— flesh and bones; moreover, our “soma” is what Paul says are temples of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 6. Sarx, on the other hand, alludes to sin—the fallen human response to and interaction with the world.

[3]I can no longer view my body as my own. I belong to God.

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