What practical steps help us live under grace, not as slaves to sin? Romans 6:15—Grace That Will Not Excuse Sin “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!” Grace Explained—More Than a Get-Out-of-Jail Card • Grace is God’s unearned favor that also brings His enabling power (Titus 2:11-12). • Because Christ died and rose, grace sets us free to obey from the heart, not to shrug at sin. • A changed position—dead to sin, alive to God—demands a changed practice (Romans 6:11). Why Slavery to Sin No Longer Fits • Sin once ruled, but its authority was broken at the cross (Romans 6:6-7). • We have a new Master—righteousness—so returning to the old tyrant is spiritual nonsense. • Grace trains us to “renounce ungodliness” (Titus 2:12), not to flirt with it. Practical Steps for Living Under Grace 1. Remember Your Identity – “Count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11). – Speak the truth of Galatians 2:20 over yourself each morning. 2. Present Your Body to God – “Do not present the parts of your body to sin… but present yourselves to God” (Romans 6:13). – Offer eyes, tongue, hands, and thoughts to righteous purposes before the day begins. 3. Feast on Scripture – Store God’s Word in your heart to resist sin (Psalm 119:11). – Let the message of Christ dwell richly in you (Colossians 3:16). 4. Walk by the Spirit – “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). – Pause and ask the Spirit’s guidance whenever temptation surfaces. 5. Replace Old Patterns – “Put off your former way of life… be renewed… put on the new self” (Ephesians 4:22-24). – Identify triggers, then build righteous routines (e.g., worship music instead of gossip). 6. Flee and Pursue – “Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness” (2 Timothy 2:22). – Physically leave compromising settings; run toward prayer, service, or accountability. 7. Stand Armored – “Put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11). – Daily fasten truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, Word, and prayer around your life. 8. Stay in the Light of Community – Spur one another on (Hebrews 10:24-25). – Confess sins to trustworthy believers for healing and strength (James 5:16). 9. Practice Immediate Confession and Repentance – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive” (1 John 1:9). – Keep accounts short; lingering guilt invites deeper bondage. 10. Look for God’s Escape Route – “God… will also provide an escape” (1 Corinthians 10:13). – Expect a door out—an interrupted conversation, a phone call, a scripture brought to mind. When You Stumble • Own it quickly (Proverbs 28:13). • Receive cleansing (1 John 1:9). • Re-affirm your standing in grace and get back up—condemnation is not from God (Romans 8:1). Certain Hope of Ongoing Victory • Temptations are limited by God’s faithfulness (1 Corinthians 10:13). • The work He started, He will finish (Philippians 1:6). • Living under grace means daily freedom, growing holiness, and the joyful expectation that sin’s chains will never reclaim the throne. |
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