How can we practically "live in it any longer" as stated in Romans 6:2? The settled truth: we died to sin Romans 6:2: “Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer?” - At conversion, God united us with Christ’s death (Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 2:20). - Sin’s legal claim was broken; we are no longer its slaves (Romans 6:6-7). - Our new position is permanent—“died” is past tense and decisive. Why “live in it any longer” makes no sense - Living in sin means habitually practicing it, making it our home (1 John 3:9). - Christ’s resurrection secured power for a new kind of life (Romans 6:4). - The Spirit now indwells us, equipping us to “walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). Reckon, renounce, replace: three daily moves 1. Reckon - “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11). - Start the day affirming out loud what God says is already true. 2. Renounce - Identify specific attitudes, words, or habits that invite sin’s reign. - “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature” (Colossians 3:5). - Shut down triggers: unfollow, block, delete, or physically remove anything that feeds temptation. 3. Replace - Swap old patterns with godly ones: • Angry outbursts → gentle answers (Ephesians 4:26-27, 29) • Lustful scrolling → meditating on the Word (Psalm 119:9-11) • Self-focused spending → generous giving (2 Corinthians 9:7-8) - Practice “put on the new self” actions (Ephesians 4:24). Habits that keep the new life thriving - Immerse in Scripture daily; it renews the mind and exposes lies (Romans 12:2). - Pray continually, inviting the Spirit’s moment-by-moment guidance (Jude 20). - Stay accountable—small groups and trusted friends help “confess your sins to one another” (James 5:16). - Worship regularly; praising God redirects desire (Psalm 16:11). - Serve others; active love crowds out selfishness (Galatians 5:13). Hope when we stumble - Confession restores fellowship, not salvation—“If we confess our sins, He is faithful” (1 John 1:9). - Remember Titus 2:11-12: grace not only forgives but “trains us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness.” - Get up quickly, fix eyes on Christ, and keep walking. |
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