Scripture
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Reflection
Chapter 6 of the book of Romans starts a new theme in Paul’s letter to the Romans. The first 5 chapters Paul addressed the topic of justification and now he continues to address the topic of sanctification (to be set apart to be holy or to become more like Jesus).
This chapter starts with a question, which refers back to chapter 5:20-21 in anticipation to an – obvious – follow-up thought originating from verses 20-21. The premise of this thought advocates for a free reign to commit sin, since chapter 5:20-21 explicitly states where sin increases grace increases as well. However in chapter 6:1-4 Paul is countering this premise with two points. The first he argues since we have died to our old life (which included living in sin as if we don’t care or being unaware of it) why would we continue to live as if we are still apart of that life. Especially since we have now a new life in Christ and we laid down the old life. Secondly, Paul is starting to unpack the concept of sanctification to his readers and how such a new life in Christ looks like.
Through these 4 verses Paul is reminding his readers to be saved doesn’t exempt them from living their lives as they please and justifying their act with the premise ‘where sin increases, grace also increases’. But instead with the help of the Holy Spirit to live a life that reflects Jesus’ holiness (Con).
Thoughts for the day
- In which areas of your life do you live as if you still belong to your old life?
- Do you sometimes justify your actions based on the premise of ‘where sin increases, grace also increases’?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- How will you apply what God is telling you in your life today?
- Is there someone you feel you need to tell this message to?
Prayer
As you travel on your daily journey, take a few minutes to pray through your day before it starts: any tricky classes, meetings or people you’ll encounter in your day. Then after your day is done, take time to give everything back to God again as you travel home.
