Dead to Sin, Alive to GodRomans 6:6-146 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self[a] was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free[b] from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
Today’s Workout
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One master wants you to be dead and defeated, powerless against sin and evil and wickedness – while the other master wants you to experience an abundant life that brings encouragement, nourishment, forgiveness, hope, love, and faith to those in your circle of influence. Which will you serve? Will you uplift and empower those around you to be the best that they can be? Will you help people succeed in fulfilling the vision for their life dreams? Will you be a hand up to those around you in need? Will you be a shoulder to lean on for those who need comforting? Will you be a welcome port of peace and encouragement in their storm? Do you realize that through your example, you will either grow the fruit in them that will nourish you in your times of need – or you will allow the weeds that are choking out their possibilities to also choke you out when you need to lean to them?
This life is a team sport. You’re working out, you’re putting in work for one team or the other.
You’re wanted Dead or Alive.
Choose life. Choose Jesus. And let Him come and live in you and through you today – contaminating every part of your life with the overflow of His spirit. Get to work!
Harold J. Ballinger 