What is the meaning of Romans 6:6? We know Paul begins with confidence. This isn’t hopeful language; it’s settled fact. • Romans 6:3-4 reminds us that in baptism we were “baptized into His death,” so our certainty rests on what Christ has already done. • 2 Corinthians 5:14 says, “One died for all, therefore all died,” echoing the same shared knowledge. • 1 John 5:20 assures believers, “We know that the Son of God has come,” tying knowledge to the finished work of Jesus. Because Scripture is true and Christ’s work is complete, believers can anchor their identity in this revealed reality rather than in feelings or circumstances. that our old self was crucified with Him The “old self” is the person we were in Adam—defined by sin and separation from God. • Galatians 2:20 declares, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me,” showing the personal dimension of this shared crucifixion. • Ephesians 4:22 urges us to “put off your former way of life, your old self,” not as a goal we strive for, but as something already rendered obsolete by the cross. • Colossians 3:9-10 says we have “taken off the old self with its practices and put on the new self,” highlighting the decisive break that has occurred. Because our old self died with Jesus, its legal claim on us ended; we are not renovating the old but living from the new. so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless “Body of sin” refers to sin’s organizing center—its authority over our physical members. The crucifixion of the old self had a purpose: to strip sin of dominion. • Romans 8:3 explains that God “condemned sin in the flesh” through Christ, dealing a death-blow to its reign. • Colossians 2:11 speaks of being circumcised “by the circumcision of Christ,” a picture of removing the control of the flesh. • 1 Peter 2:24 adds, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.” The result is not sinlessness yet, but sin’s power has been broken; it can bark, but it no longer owns the leash. that we should no longer be slaves to sin Freedom is the practical outcome. • Romans 6:17-18 celebrates, “You were slaves to sin, but you have obeyed from the heart…having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” • John 8:36 promises, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” • Galatians 5:1 urges, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free; stand firm, then.” Living free means: – Rejecting the lie that sin is irresistible. – Presenting our bodies to God (Romans 6:13) instead of to sin. – Walking daily in the Spirit’s power (Galatians 5:16). Our new Master empowers obedience; slavery to sin is no longer our identity or destiny. summary Romans 6:6 teaches a finished, liberating fact: believers know that their old self died with Christ, breaking sin’s authority, so they now live free from its slavery. The cross didn’t merely forgive; it dismantled sin’s rule, enabling a new life of willing, Spirit-empowered obedience. |
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