What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 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. Romans 6:1-4
As I mentioned in the intro, Romans chapters 6—8 are transformational chapters. These three sections are focused on our sanctification, and chapter 6 itself is about victory over the flesh.
I can’t wait to meet Paul in heaven. He’s direct and no-fuss. His rhetorical question was (verse 1): “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?” His response: No! (slight paraphrase).
Even though God’s grace is super abounding, we shouldn’t let God reveal how much grace is in Him by continuing to sin. After all, one of the spiritual principles of the Bible is what a man sows, he reaps (Galatians 6:7).
After Paul rebukes the idea of a “license to sin,” he gives to us a new principle: your old self is dead.
Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
Again, I can’t wait to meet Paul. He asks, “Don’t you know?” Of course Paul knew the people reading this letter didn’t know. And, God knew those reading these same verses today wouldn’t know either.
In these few verses of chapter 6, Paul tells us the facts of how to live victoriously:
Fact #1: Know that your old flesh is dead.
I don’t typically “assign” homework in my studies, but I believe this is one of the single most important things to know in the Bible:
Your old flesh is dead.
One of the best messages I have heard on understanding this knowing of your flesh being dead is by Jon Courson and it’s entitled, “Nailed It!” It’s an oldie, but a goodie and I have listened to this message multiple times. The reason I listened to it multiple times is because the first and the second time, I didn’t totally understand.
I shared a few weeks ago that chapters 6, 7, & 8 were the most frustrating chapters for me to understand for many years of my Christian faith. It wasn’t until this last spring break that the understanding of “my old man is dead” actually went from my head to my heart. And, it was life changing.
For years, I had wrestled with God. I have wrestled with Him about my fears, my career, and my habitual sins that I just couldn’t shake. I couldn’t “crack the code” on how to break these cycles.
Until, one day I was outside listening to the message I referenced earlier and I finally “got it.” God’s alive and active Word seeded in my heart as I chose in that moment to truly surrender to Him in all that I wanted to do and say and be in life. Yes, I have been a believer for many years. Yes, I was bearing fruit for the kingdom. But, I hadn’t fully understood and experienced the fact of me having died with Christ.
If none of what you just read makes sense, you’re right where I was just a short stint ago. God wants to do a transformative work in your heart. I would encourage you spend time listening to Jon Courson’s message or others. The rest of this study won’t take full affect in your life if you don’t understand Fact #1 from a heart knowing, not a head knowledge.
Commit to spending the next few days reading and re-reading Romans 6:1-4. Read it in different translations. Listen to the message I provided at least twice. You will not regret working out your salvation, as Paul encourages us to do in Philippians 2:12:
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
It does take Holy Spirit work to understand the facts of God’s Word. But, He will never fail to empower you on that journey.
As a freebie, I designed a digital wallpaper for your phone with Romans 6:3 scripted on it. It will help you meditate and chew on your “death.” You should be able to click on the image and download it. Email me if you have issues. <3
