In chapter 6, Paul anticipates some concluding that since Christians are under grace, they may let down their guard to sin. This is obviously the case when we note Paul’s use of rhetorical questions in verses 1 and 15. Paul says it this way in verse 1, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (vv. 1-2). (See also v. 15.)
The Christian who uses the amazing grace of God (the system of the NT, which brought grace and truth – see Jn. 1:17) as an excuse for sin, does not fully understand the commitment he made. When one is baptized, he is baptized into the death of Jesus, receiving the benefits of His blood (see Acts 20:28; 2:38; 22:16), but also committing to the death of sin in His life (see vv. 2-4) and living a new life in Christ (v. 5). It makes no sense to be rescued from sin only to go back to it! It also demonstrates tremendous ingratitude and disrespect for the sacrifice of Christ. Genuine appreciation for His sacrifice will motivate us to live the way that pleases Him not merely out of duty, but out of gratitude (“from the heart” – v. 17) for what was done on the cross.
In my view, verse 11 is the key verse of the chapter where Paul says, “So you also must consider yourself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” In baptism we make that commitment. For the remainder of our lives we seek to prove our commitment and love to God by walking “in newness of life” (v. 4), presenting ourselves “to God as instruments of righteousness” (v. 13), being “obedient from the heart” (v. 17), and being “slaves of righteousness” (v. 16). Baptism should not be seen as the end, but the beginning of a life devoted to the Lord.
The things we just mentioned stand in contrast to the “old self.” Paul describes it as “the body of sin” (v. 6), that which was “enslaved to sin” (v. 6), a life of obedience to “its passions” (v. 12), used as “instruments for unrighteousness” (v. 13) and enslaved to sin (vv. 16-17). Though we will certainly stumble after our conversion, this is vastly different from taking no thought of sin. After conversion, we make a serious fight against it.
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Near the end of the chapter Paul provides additional motivation for being “alive to God.” He asks his brethren to contemplate the fruit of sin they experienced in their former lives (see v. 20). He suggests that it led to shame and death (v. 21). On the other hand, becoming a slave of God leads to sanctification (the process of being set apart for God), and in the end, eternal life (v. 22).
Paul closes in verse 23 with the climatic truth: “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This is why we “must consider” ourselves “dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” (v. 11). What a motivation!
Daren Schroeder
