Embracing Our Identity: Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ

 

Summary

In our exploration of Romans 6:11, we delve into the profound truth that as believers, we are to reckon ourselves dead to sin but alive to God through Jesus Christ. This verse marks the first exhortation in Paul's epistle to the Romans, urging us to embrace a new identity and standing in Christ. This is not about our experience or feelings but about accepting the truth of our position in Christ as declared by God. Just as Abraham believed God's promise against all odds, we too must believe that we are dead to sin, despite our ongoing struggles with it.

This truth is not about our consciousness of sin or our efforts to overcome it. Instead, it is about recognizing what has already been accomplished through Christ. We are called to understand that we have died to the realm and rule of sin and death once and for all. This is a permanent change in our status, not something we achieve through our efforts but something we accept by faith. Our union with Christ means that just as He died to sin once and for all, so have we. This truth liberates us from the bondage of sin and the fear of death.

Furthermore, we are reminded that death has no dominion over us. While we may physically die, we will never experience eternal separation from God. The New Testament often refers to the death of believers as "falling asleep," emphasizing the temporary nature of physical death for those in Christ. Our ultimate victory over death is assured because of our union with Christ, who has conquered death on our behalf.

As believers, we must constantly remind ourselves of these truths. We are no longer slaves to sin; we are free in Christ. Our relationship with sin has fundamentally changed. When we sin, it is not as slaves but as free individuals who choose wrongly. This understanding should transform our perspective on sin and death, leading us to live in the freedom and victory that Christ has secured for us.

Key Takeaways:

- Reckoning Ourselves Dead to Sin: Our identity in Christ means we are dead to sin's rule and reign. This is not about our feelings or experiences but about accepting the truth of our position in Christ. Just as Abraham believed God's promise, we must believe we are dead to sin despite our struggles. [05:29]

- Freedom from Sin's Dominion: As believers, we are no longer under sin's dominion. While we may still have contact with sin, it no longer has power over us. Our relationship with sin has changed; we are free in Christ and no longer slaves. [19:00]

- Victory Over Death: Death has no dominion over us as believers. Though we may physically die, we will never experience eternal separation from God. Our ultimate victory over death is assured because of our union with Christ. [21:26]

- Living in the Freedom of Christ: Our freedom in Christ means we no longer sin as slaves but as free individuals. This understanding transforms our perspective on sin and death, leading us to live in the victory Christ has secured for us. [36:48]

- The Assurance of Eternal Life: As believers, we have the assurance of eternal life. We will never taste everlasting death or be separated from God. This truth should fill us with hope and confidence as we live out our faith. [27:27]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to Romans 6:11
- [00:34] - Importance of Reckoning Ourselves Dead to Sin
- [01:10] - Understanding Our Position in Christ
- [02:29] - Realizing Our New Standing
- [03:38] - Justification by Faith Alone
- [05:12] - Believing Despite Feelings
- [06:22] - Finished with Sin's Rule
- [07:22] - Death Has No Dominion
- [09:38] - Delivered from Death's Dominion
- [12:48] - Assurance of Eternal Life
- [16:08] - Freedom from the Fear of Death
- [18:24] - Changed Relationship to Sin
- [21:26] - Victory Over Death
- [27:27] - Assurance of Never Tasting Death
- [36:48] - Living as Free Individuals

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 6:11
- 2 Corinthians 5:1-5
- John 11:25-26

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Romans 6:11 urge believers to do regarding their relationship with sin and God? How does this relate to the concept of being "dead to sin but alive to God"? [00:13]

2. In the sermon, how is the concept of "reckoning" ourselves dead to sin explained? What does it mean to accept this truth by faith rather than by experience? [01:10]

3. How does the sermon describe the change in a believer's relationship with sin and death? What is the significance of this change according to the pastor? [18:24]

4. What examples from the Bible are used in the sermon to illustrate the assurance of eternal life and victory over death? [12:48]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the pastor explain the idea that believers are no longer under the dominion of sin, even though they may still have contact with it? What implications does this have for a believer's daily life? [19:00]

2. The sermon mentions that death has no dominion over believers. How does this assurance affect a believer's perspective on physical death and eternal life? [09:38]

3. In what ways does the pastor suggest that believers should remind themselves of their new identity in Christ? How does this practice impact their spiritual growth and freedom? [36:29]

4. How does the pastor use the analogy of slavery to explain the believer's freedom from sin? What does this analogy reveal about the believer's new status in Christ? [35:03]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current understanding of being "dead to sin but alive to God." How can you remind yourself of this truth in your daily life, especially when facing temptation? [05:29]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of believing God's word over our feelings. Can you identify a situation where you need to trust God's promises despite your emotions? How will you apply this trust? [04:42]

3. How does the assurance of eternal life and victory over death influence your approach to life's challenges and uncertainties? What specific steps can you take to live with this assurance in mind? [27:27]

4. Consider the analogy of slavery used in the sermon. Are there areas in your life where you still feel enslaved by sin? What practical steps can you take to embrace your freedom in Christ? [36:48]

5. The pastor mentioned that believers should not fear death. How does this perspective change the way you view your own mortality and the mortality of loved ones? How can you cultivate a mindset of hope and confidence in eternal life? [22:11]

6. How can you actively live out the freedom and victory that Christ has secured for you? Identify one area in your life where you can demonstrate this freedom and share it with your small group. [28:56]

7. The sermon encourages believers to constantly remind themselves of their new identity in Christ. What practical methods can you implement to keep this truth at the forefront of your mind throughout the week? [36:29]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ
As believers, we are called to reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to God through Jesus Christ. This is not about our feelings or experiences but about accepting the truth of our position in Christ as declared by God. Just as Abraham believed God's promise against all odds, we too must believe that we are dead to sin, despite our ongoing struggles with it. This truth is not about our consciousness of sin or our efforts to overcome it. Instead, it is about recognizing what has already been accomplished through Christ. We are called to understand that we have died to the realm and rule of sin and death once and for all. This is a permanent change in our status, not something we achieve through our efforts but something we accept by faith. [05:29]

"For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to believe you are dead to sin? How can you remind yourself of your new identity in Christ today?


Day 2: Living Free from Sin's Dominion
As believers, we are no longer under sin's dominion. While we may still have contact with sin, it no longer has power over us. Our relationship with sin has fundamentally changed; we are free in Christ and no longer slaves. This understanding should transform our perspective on sin and death, leading us to live in the freedom and victory that Christ has secured for us. When we sin, it is not as slaves but as free individuals who choose wrongly. This truth liberates us from the bondage of sin and the fear of death. [19:00]

"For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." (Romans 6:14, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a specific sin that you feel has power over you. How can you actively choose to live in the freedom Christ has given you today?


Day 3: Assurance of Victory Over Death
Death has no dominion over us as believers. Though we may physically die, we will never experience eternal separation from God. Our ultimate victory over death is assured because of our union with Christ, who has conquered death on our behalf. The New Testament often refers to the death of believers as "falling asleep," emphasizing the temporary nature of physical death for those in Christ. This assurance should fill us with hope and confidence as we live out our faith. [21:26]

"Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil." (Hebrews 2:14, ESV)

Reflection: How does the assurance of victory over death change your perspective on life and the challenges you face today?


Day 4: Living in the Freedom of Christ
Our freedom in Christ means we no longer sin as slaves but as free individuals. This understanding transforms our perspective on sin and death, leading us to live in the victory Christ has secured for us. We are called to constantly remind ourselves of these truths and live in the freedom and victory that Christ has secured for us. Our relationship with sin has fundamentally changed, and we are free in Christ. [36:48]

"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to live more fully in the freedom Christ has given you?


Day 5: The Assurance of Eternal Life
As believers, we have the assurance of eternal life. We will never taste everlasting death or be separated from God. This truth should fill us with hope and confidence as we live out our faith. Our ultimate victory over death is assured because of our union with Christ, who has conquered death on our behalf. This assurance should transform our perspective on life and death, leading us to live in the freedom and victory that Christ has secured for us. [27:27]

"And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life." (1 John 2:25, ESV)

Reflection: How does the assurance of eternal life influence the way you approach your daily decisions and interactions with others?

Quotes

We are to reckon as being true of ourselves what the Apostle has already been telling us is true of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is the principle that governs our exposition. The very words likewise and also make that something which is abundantly clear. [00:01:06]

We are told here to realize and to hold before ourselves and in our consciousness constantly something that is already true of us. It's not an exhortation to us to do anything with regard to sin but to realize what has already been done to us with respect to our relationship to sin. [00:02:19]

We are already in an entirely new position and standing with respect to sin. Now this is something that we've got to believe solely because the word of God tells us that. You don't experience your position; you're told it and you believe it. That is what justification by faith alone means. [00:03:19]

We have died once and forever to the realm and the rule and the reign of sin and death. Now, I've said that many times before, but I must go on saying it. The Apostle has said it many times before himself. He goes on repeating it, and he goes on repeating it for this good reason. [00:05:46]

We have finished with the realm and the rule and the reign of sin. Secondly, we have got to believe and to realize that we have done that once and forever. I say, and I want to emphasize that you notice that we read about our Lord that in that he died, he died unto sin once. [00:06:43]

Death has no more dominion over him; it is true to say of us also. What we are exalted here therefore to say to ourselves as Christians is death has no more dominion over me because I am a Christian and because I am in Christ Jesus. [00:08:43]

Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. Hold that in your minds, then go on and consider this from 2 Corinthians 5: For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. [00:11:01]

Whosoever liveth and believeth in the Lord Jesus Christ shall never taste everlasting death. Shall never know what it is to be separated in soul and body from God. Now, this is one of the most glorious and comforting truths that we as Christian people shall ever hear. [00:14:30]

We are no longer in the position that we were when we were born as the children of Adam. We were then under the dominion, under the reign and the rule of sin. That is no longer the position. We've been translated out of that into the kingdom of God's dear son. [00:18:29]

Sin has no longer any dominion over us, though we may still have contact with it in our bodies. Now, there is a very vital distinction. It has no more dominion over us, though we still have contact with it in our bodies. [00:19:14]

When a Christian sins, he doesn't sin as a slave, but he sins as a free man who is choosing to do that which is wrong. Do we get the significance of that distinction? A man who is not a Christian sins as a slave. He is in the bondage; he's in the captivity. [00:31:34]

The Christian no longer sins as a slave, but he sins as a free man, and that is why I say he's always a fool when he sins. The compulsion is gone; it is he now who yields voluntarily. His whole position, his whole condition is changed. [00:36:40]

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Transcript
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