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January 18 - Romans 5-6
In chapters 1-5, the apostle Paul established that justification is by faith alone - NOT by good works or deeds that we have done. Salvation is God’s gift, and it cannot be earned. The question Paul answers in chapter six arises out of the doctrine of grace: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” (Romans 6:1) If salvation is entirely by God’s grace and if grace increases when sin abounds (Romans 5:20), then why not continue in sin so that grace may increase? Paul’s response is forceful and clear: “Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Romans 6:2)
Just like today, some people misunderstood God’s grace to give Christians a license to continue in sin. Many people twist the doctrine of grace into an excuse for sin. As Paul points out, the opposite is true. Grace does not encourage sin - it delivers us from sin. Grace is not permission to sin; it’s power over sin. When Paul says we have “died to sin,” he doesn’t mean that we are insensitive to sin’s presence, but that we are freed from the dominion of sin in our lives. Sin no longer defines our lifestyle.
Paul illustrates our death with baptism - not merely the outward rite, but the spiritual reality it represents. To be “baptized into Christ” means that we are immersed into His death, burial, and resurrection. Baptism symbolizes burial - the old life is passed away. It also proclaims resurrection - a new life has begun. Therefore, the Christian is not reformed; he is reborn. He doesn’t just turn over a new leaf; he starts life anew.
Paul’s message in Romans 6:1-13 is not “try harder” - it’s “remember who you are.” Because we are united with Christ, sin’s power is broken, and a new life has begun. Because we are united with Christ, we no longer live in sin, but we walk in newness of life.