Reigning Over Sin, Part 1

Romans 5:17 NIV

For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

Romans 5:20–21 NIV

The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Where sin increased, grace increased all the more!

What a beautiful statement that shows the magnitude of God’s grace.

That leads us to Romans 6. Let’s read through it together. I was planning to just look at verses 1-11, but I believe the more natural break will take us through 14.

Romans 6:1–14 NIV

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

Romans 6:1 NIV

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?

Grace is dangerous

Paul has been emphasizing that we are saved by grace from Romans 3:24 on through Romans 4 and Romans 5.

And now he acknowledges a question that some raised, that some even accused Paul of preaching, as he mentioned in Romans 3:8. Let us do evil that good may result.

Grace increases where sin increased, so let’s help God’s grace increase, or show God’s great grace by sinning more.

Some will want to take advantage of God’s grace, as it is appealing to our flesh and feels good in the moment.

However, as Paul lets’s us know in this chapter, that should never be the way a Christian lives.

Romans 6:2 NIV

By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?

We are to reign in life, not allow Sin and Death to continue to reign over us. In fact not only should it not be, Paul asks, how can it be?

And why not? Well, Paul gives the reason, using the imagery of baptism.

Romans 6:3–4 NIV

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Baptized into Christ

What is Paul speaking about being baptized into Christ, and into his death? What is this baptism? When does it take place?

The scriptures speak of 3 different baptisms.

Baptized by Christ with the Holy Spirit - Mark 1.8

Mark 1:8 NIV

I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ, or into the Body of Christ - 1 Corinthians 12:13

1 Corinthians 12:13 NIV

For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Baptized with water as a symbolic act - Acts 10:44-48

Acts 10:44–48 NIV

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

Notice that they were already baptized with the Holy Spirit. So, they have been baptized with the Holy Spirit by Christ. And, once they received the Holy Spirit they were baptized into Christ.

Then, upon recognizing that they were saved by God’s grace, Peter told them to be baptized with water.

The water baptism is an outward symbolic act that shows that believers are identified with Christ. The immersion in water truly shows what Paul is speaking about here in Romans 6, that is

Baptized into Christ’s Death

Let’s read Romans 6.3-4 again.

Romans 6:3–4 NIV

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Pay attention to the word know.

If we are going to reign over sin as we should, there are things we need to know, and things we need to do.

First the

Things to Know:

Know we were baptized into Christ’s Death and Resurrection

Marine who was discharged.

Romans 6:5–7 NIV

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

Know our old self was crucified

So, we are no longer slaves to sin

Romans 6:8–10 NIV

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

Know that once resurrected, there is no more death, only living for God

Things to Do:

Romans 6:11 NIV

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Count yourselves dead to sin

Romans 6:12–13 NIV

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.

Do not let sin reign: i.e. Do no offer any part of your body to sin

Romans 6:13–14 NIV

Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

Offer yourself and your body to God as instruments of righteousness