Believers’ Death to Sin – Youth STS Lesson 234

“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord”

Romans 6:11 (Memory Verse)

Introduction

From the previous chapters, Paul the apostle had spent time teaching on the importance of the grace of God in the new dispensation (Romans 3:24; 4:4; 5:15,17,21). However, this looked strange to the Jews who believed in the law of Moses. They felt they could please God by their strict obedience to the Law but did not realise that such high level obedience is impossible without the grace of God. Some perverted and corrupted minds argue that if it is all grace, they would rather continue in sin, so that the more they sin, the more abundant grace God will give them. “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (verses 1,2). Our justification is a spiritual union with Christ that makes us die to sin and rise to a new life in which sin no longer has dominion over us. This is the central theme of this chapter.

OUR IDENTIFICATION WITH CHRIST’S DEATH AND RESURRECTION

Romans 6:1-6; Hebrews 9:12-15,28; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (verses 1,2). The Apostle here asked a very important question, whether we should continue in sin. Christian youths, who profess justification and have tasted of the grace of God, are also asked if there is provision to continue in sin. The grace of God does not promote sin; rather, it provides remedy and strength to overcome sin.

Question 1: What are the consequences of continuing in sin?

“O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low” (Psalm 79:8). The consequences of sin are great. Sin causes demotion, destruction and death. Therefore, those who profess faith in Christ must run away from it. To be free from sin, we must repent and believe in Christ.

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Here, the Apostle reminds us of the truth of the new birth. His burial and resurrection show our identity with Him through baptism. In view of this identification, we are exhorted to be like Him, by walking in newness of life. From our text, it is affirmed that a Christian youth has been crucified with Christ. This crucifixion is not physical like Christ. It is the crucifixion of the old nature, self and the tendency to do evil. As the old nature is crucified, there is a renewal that now lives within. This new nature is sustained by the faith of the Son of God. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Question 2: How can we identify with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection?

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Apostle Paul used this Scripture to illustrate our conversion in Christ. We can identify with Christ’s death through believing in His atoning work on the cross. We must believe that His death is sufficient to take away our sins. Also, we can identify with His burial by giving up our sinful life. We, therefore, bury our past sinful life. This is practically illustrated during water baptism. We also identify with his resurrection when we live in newness of life. The Scripture says “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Question 3: What are the benefits of identifying with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection?

“For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection” (Romans 6:5). Some of the benefits of identifying with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection are: (1) newness of life (verse 4); (2) justification from sins (Romans 3:24,25; 1 Peter 2:24); (3) righteousness and remission of sins (Romans 3:25, 1 Peter 2:24); (4) closer relationship with God, the Father (1 Peter 3:18), (5) provision of hope and faith in God (1 Peter 1:21); (6) healing and health (1 Peter 2:24); and (7) provision of all blessings (Ephesians 1:3-5, 17).

“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin” (verse 6). Here, the crucifixion of “our old man” is highlighted. The old man refers to the nature or root of sin in man. The destruction of the body of sin means the eradication or purging away of the nature of sin. This is possible through the experience of sanctification after one is saved. Consecration is the price we pay while sanctification is the work the Lord does in consecrated believers. Consecration is setting apart or giving oneself unreservedly to God. Our consecration and thirst for the sanctification experience should be complemented with prayer of faith in the promises of God. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1).

PURPOSE OF CHRIST’S DEATH AND RESURRECTION

Romans 6:7-14; 1 Peter 2:24; Colossians 3:1-10; Titus 2:11-14

“Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God” (verses 9,10).

Question 4: Why did Christ die and rise from death?

Christ died and was raised by God to give believers the power to live a righteous life. As we identify with Him, we are also dead and raised to live for God. Christ’s death is essential to atone for our sin. It takes away the guilt and punishment of sin. As Christ rose incorruptible from death, so also do we become free from sin. “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof” (verses 11,12). As we know, when someone dies, he ceases to carry out the deeds he engaged in before his death. Nothing bothers a dead person; he is insensitive to anything. Likewise, when a Christian youth is dead to sin, sin will not have any attraction, influence or effect upon him anymore. We are called to be dead to sin and alive to righteousness. Worldliness, gambling, immorality, pornography, examination malpractices, stealing, cheating or any other sin will offer no attraction to us again. We are dead to all of them.

However, we also have a responsibility to resist sin. We should not yield our members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin. Rather, we should yield ourselves to God to live in righteousness. Our determination should be that only Christ will reign in our lives. Hence, all old works of the flesh are mortified and their memories will not be remembered again. Our prayer and desire is that no iniquity or sin will have dominion over us. “Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me” (Psalms 119:132,133).

PRACTICAL HOLY LIVING THROUGH GOD’S GRACE

Romans 6:15-23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 2:11-14

“Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11). Grace and holiness are very important in the lives of believers. The emphasis of the book of Romans is that we should have grace to live in righteousness (Romans 4:23-26). Righteousness is no more the normal spiritual quality of a believer. The grace of God in our heart makes it possible. Some Jews thought because they are no more under the law under grace, they could live in sin. That we are not under the law simply means we are no more under the dispensation of sacrificing animals, undergoing rituals and ceremonies like the Old Testament people for atonement. It means we no longer try by our human effort to please God but now depend on the grace of God. This grace leads us into righteous living. Therefore, grace is the enabling effort to do according to God’s command.

Question 5: What is the place of holiness in our Christian life?

“But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (verses 17,18). We are commanded to obey God from the heart since we were made free from sin and thereby become “the servants of righteousness” and producing “fruit unto holiness, and everlasting life” (verses 19,22). As true children of God, we come into a life of obedience, holiness and righteousness with the presence of grace.

While we were in sin, we yielded our life to evil (verse 19); now, being endowed with grace and justified, we yielded our heart and life to God “with fruit unto holiness.”

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (verse 23). The Apostle concludes with a balanced presentation of two sides. If after hearing the gospel one still continues in sin, he will reap the wages of sin – death. But as many as accept the salvation of God will possess eternal life through Jesus Christ if they obey His word. This is the offer of Christ. It is a call to freedom from sin. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).