Romans 6 - 1.7.26

Scripture

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. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. (Romans 6:11-13)

Observation

In this chapter, Paul compares baptism to being dead and buried with Christ and being risen with him. When we got baptized, our sinful selves were crucified along with Jesus, so that we will no longer be under the power of sin (Rom 6:6). Therefore we need to consider ourselves dead to sin, but alive to God. So we should not let sin rule in our body. We belong to Jesus 100%, and we cannot give any part of ourselves to sin. We need to offer all of ourselves to God as people who have been raised from death to life (Rom 6:13).

Application

God has commanded us to live a holy life, with no compromise with sin of any shape or form. For it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16). We have been crucified with Christ and we no longer live, but Christ lives in us. The life we now live in the body, we live by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us. (Gal 2:20).  

Jesus himself said that, Not everyone who says to him, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of the Father who is in heaven (Matt 7:21). Jesus said that whoever wants to be his disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow him (Luke 9:23). It is a daily choice that we need to make everyday - giving up doing what we want, and instead doing what God wants us to do.

Prayer

Dear Father, I thank you for loving me, and making me your own. You washed me with the blood of Jesus and made me clean and gave me a new life. Help me to live a holy life according to your commandment. I cannot do this by my own strength, but I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13). Help me to abide in you (John 15:4). Help me to store your word in my heart, so that I will not sin against  you (Ps 119:11). See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Ps 139:24). Help me to offer my life a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to you (Rom 12:1). In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George