How can we who died to sin still live in it?
Romans 6:2
What does Paul mean when he says that we have “died to sin”? Most of us find that sin is still pretty much alive, and sometimes very powerful.
If you are in Christ, you are now in a whole new position in relation to sin. You are not in the cage, you are in the field. Sin is still your enemy, but it is not your master. That’s why Paul says, “Sin will have no dominion over you” (6:14).
The angry man will still shout instructions across the road. And when he does, you will feel that you should do what he says. After all, that’s what you got used to doing. But the angry man is no longer your master. You are under no obligation to do what he says. You are free!
Paul is not saying that we are sinless. Nor that we will have no further struggles with sin. He is saying, “You are a new person in Christ.” Sin is still your enemy, but it is no longer your master.
That’s a huge difference. Once you were held hostage. Now you are in a position to fight. There’s all the difference in the world. The angry man may come over by the road and start shouting orders at you, but you do not have to do what sin says. You are in an entirely new position. Sin is no longer your master.
How could understanding your new position help you in your own battle against sin?
