As we look at Romans Chapter 6 we start looking at the topic of sanctification. We have covered the wrath of God in the first couple of chapters and the topic of justification to the end of chapter 5. Now, in Romans Chapter 6 we will look at sanctification and slavery.
Dead in Christ
Paul covers the reason for water baptism. It is not just so we can fulfil a command. It is actually us dying to self, as we go under the water and then being resurrected in Christ as we come out of the water. We are told that we have been “united with Him in a death like His” Also we are told that. “… we know that our old self was crucified with Him” Think through this concept; that we were actually, or to be correct, the old man, was crucified with Christ.
Sin is done away with
When we come to Christ through faith, we are justified which means we a free from the power of past sins. Water Baptism represents, and in the spiritual is actually seen as, our old man dying. This is the start of sanctification which is the freedom from the power of sin. Both of these acts leads us eventually to glorification which is being free from the presence of sin.
Dead to sin
Since the old man has been crucified with Christ, we need to reckon ourselves dead to sin. But … we are now to reckon ourselves alive in Christ in Christ. If we do this then why would we allow “allow sin to reign in our mortal bodies” Why would we “obey its evil desires”?
Who are you a slave to
All humans are slaves! We are either a slave to sin. This leads to unrighteousness and death. Or we are a slave to righteousness and God. This leads to holiness and eternal life. Contrary to popular thinking, we do have the ability to lead a holy life. This is the sanctified life. It is a life in Christ and led by the Holy Spirit. In order to be led by the Holy Spirit though we need to be filled with the Spirit.
Wages of slavery
We thus have a choice. Are we slaves to sin or to God? Chapter sin ends with a very well known and often repeated verse. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”
Attached is the YouTube link for this chapter.