Overview:
Romans 6:1–14
In the first five chapters of Romans, Paul laid the groundwork for the rest of his letter. He established six all-important facts:
– All humanity is depraved—we’ve “fallen short” of God’s holiness.
– All humanity is under the penalty of sin—separated from God.
– Instead of abandoning us, God provided a rescue for us.
– God’s “rescue operation” was accomplished at the cross of Christ.
– When we believe in Jesus’ death and resurrection, He “justifies” us.
– As a result, we are no longer under sin’s penalty or domination.
The next big issue is this: How can salvation from the power of sin become a reality? Being “saved by grace apart from works” is one thing, but being able to walk by grace . . . that’s quite another. How can we now live victoriously? What must take place in order for us to live free from sin’s control?
Message Summary:
In “Dying to Live,” Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the practical transition from being saved by grace to walking by grace. While the first five chapters of Romans establish the legal reality of our justification through Christ, Chapter 6 addresses the functional reality of our sanctification. Swindoll emphasizes that because believers are identified with Christ in His death and resurrection, they are no longer slaves to sin. This message provides a roadmap for living victoriously over the power of sin in a secular world by understanding our new identity in Christ.
Message Key Facts:
- The Problem of Sin: All humanity is naturally depraved and under the penalty of sin, separated from a holy God.
- The Provision of Christ: God’s “rescue operation” was fully accomplished through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
- Justification vs. Sanctification: Justification is the one-time legal act of being declared righteous; sanctification is the ongoing process of living out that righteousness.
- The Believer’s Identification: When a person believes in Christ, they are spiritually united with Him. As He died to sin, the believer’s “old self” has also died.
- Freedom from Domination: Salvation does not just remove the penalty of sin (Hell) but also breaks the power of sin in the believer’s daily life.
Message References:
1. The Foundation of Grace (Romans 6:1–2)
Paul begins by addressing a common misconception: if grace abounds where sin increases, should we continue sinning? Swindoll clarifies that a true understanding of grace leads to a desire for holiness, not a license for immorality.
2. Knowing Your New Identity (Romans 6:3–10)
Victory begins with “knowing.” Believers must realize that they have been “baptized” (placed into) Christ.
- Death to the Old Life: Our old, sin-dominated nature was crucified with Christ.
- Resurrection to New Life: Just as Christ was raised, we are empowered to walk in “newness of life.”
3. Counting It as True (Romans 6:11)
After knowing the facts, we must “consider” or “reckon” them to be true. This is an act of faith—choosing to believe God’s perspective on our identity even when our feelings or habits suggest otherwise.
4. Presenting Yourself to God (Romans 6:12–14)
The final step is a daily, volitional choice. We are called to stop “presenting” our members to sin and instead “present” ourselves to God as instruments of righteousness.
Primary Scripture References
- Romans 6:1–14: The central text regarding our death to sin and life in Christ.
- Romans 3:23: Context for human depravity (“all have fallen short”).
- Romans 5:1: The result of justification (“peace with God”).
- Galatians 2:20: A parallel thought on being crucified with Christ.
Practical Application
To live “dead to sin but alive to God,” believers are encouraged to:
- Acknowledge that sin’s authority was broken at the Cross.
- Refuse to let sin reign in their physical bodies.
- Surrender every part of their lives—thoughts, words, and actions—to the service of God daily.
