Overcoming the practice of sin.

A. Believe the reality of being “in Christ” (11)

God wants Christians to know:

That “in Christ,” the power of sin has been broken

And you have been enabled by the Holy Spirit to live for God.

“Even so” -Because of our unity with Jesus that Paul’s been talking about.

<Romans 6:5>

Christians are united with Christ.

a) Uniting with Christ means we’ve been justified.

Romans 4:25 NASB95

He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.

On the cross, Jesus secured reconciliation.

b) Christians are no longer slaves to sin.

<Romans 6:6-7>

This means that the power and penalty of sin have been broken.

Because of this, Paul urges us to believe what God says is true about born-again people.

2. “consider yourselves to be”

Two things that are true about Christians.

a) Christians are “dead to sin.”

As condemned people, separated from God we were compelled to sin.

i. This doesn’t mean that Christians are no longer about to sin.

Rather, when we consider ourselves “dead to sin,” as a dead body cannot respond to temptation, neither are Christians to respond to temptation.

b) Christians are “alive to God.”

Your life is “in Christ” and with Christ, not just living to satisfy the desires of your flesh.

Additionally, “In Christ,” you have the power and grace to live for God.

Point: That you believe matters and Paul urges Christians to believe what God says about us.

To overcome the practice of sin, that will be essential.

B. Practice the reality of being “in Christ.” (12-13)

“Therefore” -Given that “in Christ” the power of sin is broken and you are enabled to live for God...(do the following)

“do not let sin reign in your mortal body” -Christians are no longer slaves to sin, don’t act like it by living in obedience to your old master. (cf. v.6)

a) Christians actively participate in sanctification by walking by faith.

If you have an ongoing sin that you struggle with: Addiction, bitterness, fear of people, pride, etc. You may have wished that God would just take the desire for that sin away.

However, it’s not likely God’s going to do that.

b) Christians have been invited into a faith relationship with Jesus

Hebrews 11:6 NASB95

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

You grow in Christ as your faith in Jesus is exercised and strengthened through obedience to Christ.

Christians are to actively fight against the sin that continues to reside within them rather than just going along with it.

1. Put off the old self. (12-13a)

a) Temptation isn’t sin, but desire is.

b) Overcome temptation with prayer.

Matthew 26:41 NASB95

“Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

c) Overcome temptation with personal discipline.

<Hebrews 12:1-4>

Because Christians are “alive to God in Christ” we have the power to refuse to allow “sin to reign” in our mortal bodies.

2. Put on the new self. (13b)

<2 Peter 1:5-9>

Peter’s point is that we’re to practice these things and as we do (8) says you will bear fruit.

a) Two of the many blessings of obediently following Christ are:

Spiritual maturity

Assurance of salvation.

You see that in the next statement Peter makes.

<2 Peter 1:10-11>

Point: Christians aren’t save and then just go back to living our lives like we were.

We practice the reality of being “in Christ.”

C. Remember the reality of being “in Christ.” (14)

“For” -This isn’t another command, rather, Paul gives us the basis for what he’s said in the previous verses.

“sin shall not be master over you” If you let it, sin will master you.

However, by applying v.13 sin won’t be your master.

The point being made in this verse is that although Israel didn’t keep the Law while they were “under the Law” believers are able to keep the moral norms of God’s Law because we are under grace, therefore, we’re empowered by the Holy Spirit to obey God. (cf. Romans 8:3-4)

This is what both Jeremiah and Ezekiel were talking about when they spoke of the new covenant.

Ezekiel 11:19-20

Ezekiel 11:19–20 NASB95

“And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them. Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God.

Grace is not a license for sin

<Romans 6:1-2>

2. However, God’s grace coupled with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit will enable you to grow in Christ by overcoming the practice of sin.

Application for the unbeliever: You are not under the grace of God but rather the condemnation of God. (cf. John 3:19)

Application for the Christian: There’s nothing more helpful in overcoming the practice of sin than meditating on the grace of God.

Consider what you deserve.

Consider what God has given you.