In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.
I was never a math person. English, writing, reading — sign me up. While I have an affinity for statistics, other types of math (especially anything to do with geometry) are merely tolerated.
I took several accounting courses in college (also not exciting). But, like most of my classes, I had to work at being bright. One day, I struggled a bit with some homework, so I stopped in to see the professor.
After some conversation and coaching, he stopped and said to me, "Tiffany, it's already in your head. You just need to move your pencil." Another way of putting it: I already had the answer; I simply lacked the confidence to put it on paper.
The same can be true of these two verses from Romans 6, which we're going to read in the NKJV:
Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. Romans 6:11-12
Paul tells us that we need to reckon ourselves dead to sinful desires and lusts. That's an accounting term. It doesn't mean, "I reckon that's true," like some of us may say in the Midwest. It means to count, compute, weigh, reason, etc. The Outline of Biblical Usage puts it like this:
This word [reckon] deals with reality. If I reckon (logizomai) that my bank book has $25 in it, it has $25 in it. Otherwise I am deceiving myself. This word refers more to fact than supposition or opinion.
I'm not sure what a "bank book" is (ha ha), but I understand account balances because there's money or there isn't. Just check Venmo.
Let's see how we can apply this "reckoning" principle to our Christian walk. To do so, we must continue to revisit the facts we've learned thus far. First, Romans 6:1-4 taught us that we are dead. Have you reckoned that to be true? Secondly, Romans 6:5-7 taught us that we are alive in Christ Jesus. So, again, I will ask: Have you reasoned, reckoned, counted, computed, and weighed this to be true specifically in your own life?
If all of this feels like a repeat of prior weeks, you're right. Paul tells us in Philippians 3:1 (AMP) why he tends to repeat himself (and I'm grateful for it!):
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not irksome, but for you it is safe.
It is safe and suitable for us to hear God's Truth repeatedly. But, unfortunately, we are forgetful sheep and prone to wander. God is not irritated when He has to keep teaching us the same lesson. He isn't impatiently tapping His foot, waiting on us to get it right, but He longs for our holy obedience.
You may have had someone say or preach that we need to "crucify the flesh" when tempted or struggling. But, interestingly enough, God never calls us to "crucify" the old man. Instead, He tells us to account (reckon) our flesh as already dead (btw, Paul does talk about in 1 Corinthians 15:31 about dying daily, which in context is dying to your selfish ways and choosing holiness — more on that later):
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24
...knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. Romans 6:6
When something is already dead, it has lost its power. Christ was the one crucified, friends. You were crucified with Him supernaturally and spiritually when you confessed Him as your Lord and your Savior. You don't need to keep crucifying yourself — you need to believe that you belong to Christ and the work is finished and "in the bank."
Once you understand how the reckoning is complete, you can choose whether or not you will sin. You have the choice to allow sin to reign (rule) in your body or the choice to choose holiness. Will you still fall short? Yes, of course. But, your position is not that of a sinner; it's one of a saint.
Think about the Corinthian people. Paul's heart broke over that people group. My word, they were profoundly struggling in a culture of sin and had a great deal of correction that needed to occur. But Paul addresses them positionally. He didn't say, "To the church of God in Corinth, to those sinners and called to be his holy people..."
No, he said, "To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ..."
He referred to them as saints because that was their position in Christ Jesus. Their old man was crucified with Christ, they were given a new life in Christ, and they were being changed from glory to glory each day (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Those are the facts. Here's the crux: Will you reckon this same truth to be real in your own heart?
Father, in all the half-truths this world throws at me to believe, I choose to reckon Your Truth. Open the eyes of my heart to see Your Word as fact and to know that I was crucified with You, I am in You, and You are renewing me daily. Furthermore, bring to my remembrance these truths whenever Satan tries to steal, kill, and lie to me about the work you've done.