Romans 6: God’s Grace not License to Sin

Read Romans Chapter 6

Introduction: In Romans 6, the Apostle Paul addresses the believers in Rome with a very spiritual message about the implications of grace and the believer’s relationship to sin. He makes the argument that grace is not a license to sin but a call to live in the freedom and righteousness found in Jesus Christ. Paul encourages believers to embrace their new identity in Christ and to lead a life transformed by His power. The main points of this chapter revolve around the union with Christ in His death and resurrection, to be liberated from sin’s dominion, and the resulting righteous life that is required for Christian living.

I. Union with Christ in Death and Resurrection (Romans 6:1-14)
Paul begins by challenging the idea that grace allows for continued sinning (Romans 6:1-2). He explains that through baptism, believers are united with Christ in His death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). This union means that they have died to sin and should no longer live in it, God forbid (Romans 6:5-10). The Bible talks more about this in Galatians 2:20, this verse points out being crucified with Christ and living by faith in Him. Jesus gave us an example to follow, and follow it we should.  Furthermore, Colossians 2:12 affirms being buried with Him in baptism and raised through faith. And finally in Colossians 3:3, the Bible reminds us that we have died and our life is hidden with Christ in God, the old man has died, the new man raised, go and sin no more.

II. The Believer’s New Life in Christ (Romans 6:5-14)
Paul further lets us know, that we should understand that our old self was crucified with Christ and this should lead to a transformed life, a new life and life style (Romans 6:6-7). The Bible encourages us to put off the old man and to put on the new that is raised in Christ in Ephesians 4:22-24. He strongly makes the point for believers to consider themselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:8-11). The result is a call to not let sin reign in the mortal body and to offer themselves to God (Romans 6:12-14). In 1 Peter 2:24, the apostle tells us that Christ bore our sins so we might die to sin and live for righteousness, truth, integrity and purity. And 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares that anyone in Christ is a new creation.

III. Freedom from Sin’s Dominion (Romans 6:15-23)
Finally at the end of the chapter, Paul compares slavery to sin with being slaves to righteousness (Romans 6:15-18). In the gospel of John 8:34-36, Jesus speaks about slaves to sin and the Son setting people free from the bondage of sin. Paul makes his point simple by using human terms, showing that a change in masters leads to sanctification and eternal life (Romans 6:19-22). The chapter concludes with the stark contrast between the wages of sin is death, and the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Other verses in the Bible we can cross reference with these verses are 1 Corinthians 6:20, where the Bible reminds that we were bought at a price and should honor God. And in Ephesians 6:6-7, the Bible calls for true service, and not service that attempts to pleas men, but as slaves of Christ.

Conclusion: Romans 6 gives believers an inspirational message about the transformation that takes place when a person accepts Jesus as their savior. We are no longer slaves to sin but have been set free to live a righteous life. Paul calls on us to embrace our new identity in Christ and to live out the result that is expected of one who claims to be a believer in Jesus. The cross reference verses from other books of the Bible lend credibility to this truth and point to the powerful change in people’s lives, from slaves of sin to servants of righteousness, leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.