Posted on 10/14/2024 8:07:54 AM PDT by metmom
“Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin” (Romans 6:6-7).
Having died with Christ, believers are no longer under sin’s control.
Years ago a book with the amusing title “It Ain’t Gonna Reign No More” appeared. Though humorous, that title aptly summarizes the believer’s relationship to sin. Christians still commit sins but are no longer under sin’s dominion.
When we were united with Christ in His death (Rom. 6:5), “our old self was crucified with Him” (verse 6). Our “old self” equals what we were before salvation—lost in sin and bound for Hell. It is the unregenerate nature we inherited from Adam (Rom. 5:12; 1 Cor. 15:22).
Some argue that believers now have both an old and new nature—a sort of spiritual split personality. The conflict between those two natures, they believe, is responsible for the struggles of the Christian life, as the believer strives to crucify his old self. But notice that Paul does not command us to crucify our old self; he tells us that has already happened (cf. Gal. 2:20; Col. 3:9-10).
The expression “that our body of sin might be done away with” approaches this same truth from a slightly different perspective. It notes the close connection between the body and sin (Rom. 8:10, 13) and describes the absolute domination of sin in the life of an unbeliever. That domination is broken at salvation.
Paul is not teaching, however, that believers’ sin natures have been eradicated, and hence they no longer sin. The Greek word translated “done away with” does not mean “destroyed” but “rendered inoperative” or “deprived of its strength, influence, or power.” Christians are no longer slaves to sin; its tyranny in our lives has been broken.
Be encouraged today in your battle with sin because though it is still a dangerous enemy, sin is no longer your master.
Suggestions for Prayer
Praise God for delivering you from sin’s power.
Pray that He would deliver you from sin’s presence in your life.
For Further Study
Read the following passages: Romans 6:19; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
What is your part in the battle against sin?
What practical steps can you take to more effectively defeat sin in your life?
From Strength for Today by John MacArthur Copyright © 1997. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
Thank you, I needed that today!
The unsaved love to point to a saved person who falls into sin and yell “Hypocrite” at them as though they are supposed to be sinless upon salvation- Fact is that we are still capable of sin, not immune to it- and it is ONLY by God’s wonderful grace that we are set free from the penalty of sin- and even tough we sin daily, constantly, we are no longer slaves to sin and we don’t sin with seared consciences that have no regard for God and His laws like we once did before we were saved-
Put on the Whole Armour of God!
AMEN!
And honestly, that line of reasoning needs to be used to answer the *all Christians are hypocrites* criticism of Christians and Christianity.
And it's that very important truth that is lost on people these days.
Yup- i wish though that folks would understand that the gift of salvation is free, offered to everyone for the taking- no strings attached-
We will still be sinners, because we still live in a fallen world full of sin and full of worldly pleasurable temptations that we all are subjected to daily, but we are set free from the penalty of sin- Jesus covered all our sin, and all we have to do is reach out and take his offer- Sadly though Satan has too many people blinded and slaves to sin-
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