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Key Text: Romans 6

“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” — Romans 6:11 (KJV)

Introduction

If salvation is entirely by grace, does that mean Christians are free to live however they please?

That question naturally follows Paul’s teaching in Romans 5:

“Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.”

Some might wrongly conclude, “If God’s grace increases when we sin, shouldn’t we sin more?”

Paul’s answer is immediate and emphatic.

“God forbid.” (Romans 6:2)

Grace is never a license to sin.

Instead, grace breaks sin’s power and enables believers to live a new life.

Romans 6 teaches one of the greatest truths of the Christian life: through our union with Jesus Christ, sin is no longer our master.

Dead to Sin (Romans 6:1–4)

Paul begins with a question.

“Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?”

His answer leaves no room for misunderstanding.

“God forbid.”

The phrase could be translated,

“Absolutely not!”

Why?

Because something dramatic happened the moment we trusted Christ.

United with Christ

Believers have been united with Jesus in His:

• Death
• Burial
• Resurrection

Paul points to baptism as a beautiful picture of this reality.

Going beneath the water symbolizes our old life being buried with Christ.

Rising from the water pictures our new life in Him.

Baptism does not save us.

It publicly proclaims what Christ has already done in our hearts.

Walking in Newness of Life (Romans 6:4–7)

Paul says believers should:

“Walk in newness of life.”

Christianity is not simply turning over a new leaf.

It is receiving a new life.

The old person we once were has died with Christ.

Our identity has changed.

We are no longer defined by our past.

We belong to Jesus.

The Power of Sin Has Been Broken

Paul explains:

“Our old man is crucified with him.”

Sin still tempts us.

But it no longer owns us.

Before salvation, we could not escape sin’s domination.

Now, through Christ, we have the freedom to obey God.

Alive with Christ (Romans 6:8–11)

Because Christ died and rose again, believers share in His victory.

Paul reminds us:

“Death hath no more dominion over him.”

Jesus conquered death forever.

Those who belong to Him now share in that triumph.

Then Paul gives one of the most important commands in Romans.

“Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin.”

The word reckon means to count something as true.

God says your old life has been crucified with Christ.

Now live in light of that reality.

Faith means believing what God says about your identity.

Do Not Let Sin Reign (Romans 6:12–14)

Although sin no longer rules us, we must still choose whom we will obey.

Paul writes:

“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body.”

Notice he does not say sin no longer exists.

The battle continues.

But the outcome has changed.

Sin is no longer king.

Jesus is.

Present Yourself to God

Paul urges believers to present every part of themselves to God.

Our:

• Eyes
• Ears
• Hands
• Feet
• Minds
• Words

All belong to Him.

Every day we choose whom we will serve.

Slaves to Righteousness (Romans 6:15–19)

Paul again anticipates another misunderstanding.

“Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace?”

Again he answers:

“God forbid.”

Grace does not remove obedience.

Grace changes the reason we obey.

We no longer obey because we fear condemnation.

We obey because we love the One who saved us.

Everyone Serves Someone

Paul teaches that every person is a servant.

We either serve:

• Sin
• Or righteousness

There is no neutral ground.

Before Christ, we served sin.

Now we joyfully serve the Lord.

True freedom is not doing whatever we want.

True freedom is becoming what God created us to be.

The Fruit of a New Life (Romans 6:20–22)

Paul asks believers to remember their old lives.

What lasting benefit did sin produce?

None.

Sin promised satisfaction.

Instead it produced shame.

Now everything has changed.

Believers have become:

“Servants to God.”

The result?

• Holiness
• Spiritual growth
• Eternal life

The Christian life is not merely avoiding sin.

It is becoming increasingly like Christ.

The Great Contrast (Romans 6:23)

Romans 6 concludes with one of the best-known verses in Scripture.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Notice the contrast.

Wages

Sin pays exactly what it promises.

Its paycheck is death.

Physical death.

Spiritual separation.

Eternal judgment.

Sin always costs more than we expect.

Gift

God offers something completely different.

Eternal life is not earned.

It is received.

The difference between wages and a gift is enormous.

Wages are deserved.

Grace is undeserved.

That is the beauty of the Gospel.

What Romans 6 Means for Us Today

Romans 6 speaks directly to every believer.

Remember Who You Are

You are not the person you once were.

Your identity is now found in Christ.

Stop allowing your past to define your future.

Victory Is Possible

Temptation remains.

But through Christ, sin no longer has absolute control.

The Holy Spirit empowers believers to choose obedience.

Daily Surrender Matters

Every morning we choose whether we will present ourselves to sin or to God.

Victory begins with surrender.

Grace Produces Holiness

Some imagine grace encourages careless living.

Paul teaches the opposite.

Grace transforms hearts.

Those who truly know Christ increasingly desire to honor Him.

Living Romans 6

Ask yourself these questions this week:

• Am I living as though my old life has died with Christ?
• What areas of my life still need to be surrendered to God?
• Am I presenting my mind, words, and actions to righteousness?
• Do I see obedience as a burden or as a privilege?
• How is God’s grace changing my daily walk?

Every day provides a new opportunity to live out the new life Christ has given us.

Final Thoughts

Romans 6 is a chapter of victory.

Paul reminds believers that salvation does far more than forgive sin.

It changes our relationship with sin.

We are no longer slaves.

We have been set free through Jesus Christ.

The Christian life is not about trying harder through human effort.

It is about living in the reality of who we already are in Christ.

Sin still whispers.

Temptation still comes.

But Christ has broken sin’s authority.

Because He lives, we can walk in newness of life.

The same grace that saves us also empowers us to live for God’s glory.

What’s It Mean?

Romans 6 teaches that believers have been united with Jesus Christ in His death and resurrection. Because of that union, sin no longer has dominion over them. Christians are called to live according to their new identity, presenting themselves to God as instruments of righteousness. While sin leads to death, God’s free gift is eternal life through Jesus Christ. Grace not only forgives—it transforms.

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Want to do a deeper dive in the study of Romans? Get my book, Romans: The Glory of the Gospel and the Obedience of Faith, by making your choice of platforms below:

Dr. Alan Holden has served in pastoral ministry for more than 35 years, preaching and teaching the Bible in churches across the United States. He holds a Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary and a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Through What’s It Mean?, he seeks to help readers understand the meaning of Scripture and grow in their walk with Christ. He is currently the pastor of Lake Saunders Baptist Church in Tavares, FL.