from Gary Hamrick
... Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Chapel
for
Dead to Sin Alive to God
... Your standing before God rests in Christ, and His grace empowers you to live faithfully.
Romans 6:11 NKJV (devotion translation)
Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Devotion:
Today's Scripture reminds us that our identity in Christ shapes the way we live.
Romans 6 teaches that the Christian life is not merely about receiving forgiveness, it is also about living in the reality of what Christ has accomplished for us. Through faith in Jesus, believers are united with Him in His death and resurrection. Paul explains that our "old self" was crucified with Christ so that sin would no longer rule over us. This does not mean that temptation disappears, but it does mean that sin is no longer our master.
Many believers become discouraged because they still struggle with sin. Scripture acknowledges this battle, yet it calls us to remember what is true. God declares that we are new creations in Christ. The old life, marked by self-rule and rebellion, no longer defines us. We are now called to walk in newness of life, depending daily upon the Holy Spirit for strength and obedience.
Victory over sin begins by believing God's Word rather than trusting our changing feelings. We must continually reckon, or count, ourselves dead to sin and alive to God. This is an intentional act of faith. Each day we choose whether we will yield ourselves to the desires of the flesh or present ourselves to God as instruments of righteousness.
The Lord does not lead His children merely by rules. He leads us through a relationship of grace and love. Because Christ has loved us and given Himself for us, we are motivated to pursue holiness, not to earn God's favor, but because we already belong to Him.
Prayer:
Father, thank You that through Jesus Christ the power of sin has been broken. Help me to walk in the new life You have given me and to present myself each day to You in obedience and love. Amen.
Related Sermon:
Digging Deeper:
- Galatians 2:20 ↗ - Crucified with Christ—Our old life has been crucified, and Christ now lives through us.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 ↗ - A New Creation in Christ—Believers are made new and are no longer defined by their former life.
- Colossians 3:1-3 ↗ - Set Your Mind on Things Above—Live according to your new identity in the risen Christ.
- Galatians 5:16-17 ↗ - Walk in the Spirit—The Holy Spirit enables believers to overcome the desires of the flesh.
- Titus 2:11-12 ↗ - Grace Teaches Godly Living—God’s grace not only saves but also trains us to live holy and obedient lives.