Living Victoriously Through Our Union with Christ
Summary
In Romans 6:1-2, Paul addresses a critical question: "Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?" The Apostle Paul anticipates a misunderstanding of his teaching on grace, where some might think that grace encourages sin. He emphatically rejects this notion, asserting that those who are in Christ are dead to sin and cannot live in it any longer. This profound truth is not just theoretical but deeply practical, especially for Christians struggling with spiritual depression and a sense of failure in their Christian walk.
Many Christians feel defeated by sin, constantly analyzing and condemning themselves for not living victoriously. The root cause of this spiritual depression is often a failure to understand our true relationship with Christ's death and resurrection. Paul explains that through the doctrine of the Covenant, believers are united with Christ in His death and resurrection. This union means that what happened to Christ has also happened to us. We were crucified, died, and were buried with Him, and we have also risen with Him. This is not a future promise but a present reality.
Understanding this union with Christ is crucial. It means that our old self, the Adamic nature, has been crucified with Christ. We are no longer under the law's condemnation or the dominion of sin and Satan. Instead, we are in Christ, and there is no condemnation for those who are in Him. This truth liberates us from the power of sin and enables us to live in the freedom and victory that Christ has secured for us.
The key to overcoming spiritual depression and living a victorious Christian life lies in recognizing and standing firm in these truths. We must reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to God, not by our efforts but by the finished work of Christ on the cross. This understanding transforms our perspective, enabling us to face life's challenges with confidence and joy, knowing that we are secure in Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- Union with Christ: Our union with Christ means that we have been crucified, died, and risen with Him. This is not a future hope but a present reality that transforms our identity and empowers us to live victoriously over sin. [13:15]
- Freedom from Condemnation: In Christ, there is no condemnation. Our old self has been crucified, and we are no longer under the law's judgment. This truth liberates us to live in the freedom and joy of the gospel. [30:29]
- Dead to Sin, Alive to God: We are called to reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to God. This is not about self-effort but about embracing the reality of what Christ has accomplished for us. [39:04]
- Victory over Spiritual Depression: Understanding our identity in Christ is key to overcoming spiritual depression. By recognizing that our old self is dead, we can live in the joy and victory that Christ provides. [28:42]
- Living in the Power of the Cross: The cross is central to our sanctification. By embracing the truth of our union with Christ, we can face life's challenges with confidence, knowing that we are secure in Him. [41:09]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Romans 6:1-2
- [00:36] - Addressing Misunderstandings of Grace
- [01:16] - The Doctrine of Imputation
- [02:09] - Antinomianism and Grace
- [03:03] - The True Purpose of Grace
- [04:15] - Spiritual Depression in Christians
- [05:07] - Failure in Living the Christian Life
- [06:15] - Understanding Our Relationship with Christ
- [07:09] - The Significance of the Cross
- [08:41] - The Covenant Between Father and Son
- [10:10] - Union with Christ and Adam
- [13:15] - The Doctrine of the Covenant
- [17:05] - Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
- [20:37] - No Condemnation in Christ
- [28:42] - Overcoming Spiritual Depression
- [39:04] - Reckoning Ourselves Dead to Sin
- [41:09] - Living in the Power of the Cross
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 6:1-2
- Galatians 2:20
- Colossians 3:3
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Observation Questions:
1. What question does Paul address in Romans 6:1-2, and how does he respond to it? [00:12]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of our union with Christ in His death and resurrection? [13:15]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between grace and sin, and what misunderstanding does Paul anticipate? [02:09]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the root cause of spiritual depression among Christians? [06:15]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding our union with Christ help in overcoming spiritual depression, according to the sermon? [28:42]
2. What does it mean to be "dead to sin and alive to God," and how does this affect a believer's daily life? [39:04]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the doctrine of the Covenant impacts our understanding of the cross? [08:41]
4. How does the sermon explain the concept of "no condemnation" for those in Christ, and what implications does this have for believers? [30:29]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually defeated. How might understanding your union with Christ change your perspective on that experience? [06:15]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing our identity in Christ. What practical steps can you take this week to remind yourself of this truth daily? [28:42]
3. Consider the areas in your life where you feel condemned or guilty. How can the truth of "no condemnation in Christ" bring you freedom in these areas? [30:29]
4. How can you practically "reckon yourself dead to sin and alive to God" in your daily decisions and interactions? [39:04]
5. Identify a specific challenge or temptation you are currently facing. How can the power of the cross and your union with Christ empower you to overcome it? [41:09]
6. The sermon discusses the concept of living in the power of the cross. What is one area of your life where you need to rely more on this power, and how will you do so this week? [41:09]
7. How can you support a fellow believer who is struggling with spiritual depression, using the insights from this sermon? [28:42]
Devotional
Day 1: Union with Christ Transforms Our Identity
Understanding our union with Christ is foundational to the Christian life. This union means that believers have been crucified, died, and risen with Christ. It is not merely a future hope but a present reality that transforms our identity and empowers us to live victoriously over sin. This profound truth is not just theoretical but deeply practical, especially for those struggling with spiritual depression and a sense of failure in their Christian walk. By recognizing that what happened to Christ has also happened to us, we can live in the freedom and victory that He has secured for us. [13:15]
Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Reflection: How does understanding your union with Christ change the way you view your daily struggles and victories?
Day 2: Freedom from Condemnation in Christ
In Christ, there is no condemnation. This truth liberates believers from the power of sin and enables them to live in the freedom and joy of the gospel. Our old self, the Adamic nature, has been crucified with Christ, and we are no longer under the law's judgment. This understanding is crucial for overcoming feelings of guilt and shame that often accompany spiritual depression. By embracing the reality of our new identity in Christ, we can live confidently, knowing that we are secure in Him. [30:29]
Romans 8:1-2 (ESV): "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."
Reflection: What are some areas in your life where you still feel condemned? How can you remind yourself of the truth that there is no condemnation in Christ?
Day 3: Reckoning Ourselves Dead to Sin
Believers are called to reckon themselves dead to sin and alive to God. This is not about self-effort but about embracing the reality of what Christ has accomplished for us. By understanding our relationship with Christ's death and resurrection, we can overcome the power of sin in our lives. This perspective transforms how we face life's challenges, enabling us to do so with confidence and joy, knowing that we are secure in Christ. [39:04]
Colossians 3:3-4 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: In what ways can you practically reckon yourself dead to sin in your daily life? What steps can you take to live more fully alive to God?
Day 4: Overcoming Spiritual Depression through Identity in Christ
Understanding our identity in Christ is key to overcoming spiritual depression. Many Christians feel defeated by sin, constantly analyzing and condemning themselves for not living victoriously. The root cause of this spiritual depression is often a failure to understand our true relationship with Christ's death and resurrection. By recognizing that our old self is dead, we can live in the joy and victory that Christ provides. [28:42]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: How does knowing you are a new creation in Christ help you combat feelings of spiritual depression or inadequacy?
Day 5: Living in the Power of the Cross
The cross is central to our sanctification. By embracing the truth of our union with Christ, we can face life's challenges with confidence, knowing that we are secure in Him. This understanding transforms our perspective, enabling us to live in the power and victory that the cross provides. It is not by our efforts but by the finished work of Christ on the cross that we are empowered to live a victorious Christian life. [41:09]
1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV): "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
Reflection: What does it mean for you to live in the power of the cross today? How can this perspective change the way you approach your daily challenges?
Quotes
The Apostle therefore knew that many did argue in that way. He was constantly being charged with teaching what is called antinomianism, that his gospel of grace was such as to give the impression that law no longer counted in any sense at all, that sin didn't matter, but nothing mattered save this wonderful grace of God that covered our sins in such an overwhelming manner. [02:19]
We are considering the case of those Christians whose lives seem to be bound in shallows and in miseries, and we've been considering some of the greatest causes of that, implying the remedy and the cure which is provided for us in the New Testament Scriptures. Now we come therefore to another cause of this depression, this defeatism, this unhappiness in the Christian life as it afflicts so many. [04:35]
The way to understand what really happened in the cross and Calvary's Hill is to understand the biblical doctrine of the Covenant. The biblical doctrine of the Covenant, I say, you don't begin to understand the cross until you understand the Covenant. What do I mean by that? I mean this: the way to approach the cross is to understand a great covenant that was made between God the Father and God the Son before the very foundation of the world. [08:16]
The Apostle goes on saying that not only in this epistle but in the Epistle to the Galatians and elsewhere, I have been crucified with Christ. I was crucified with Christ, he said. Shall I then the cross on Calvary Jesus simply that the Son of God was being crucified? He was being crucified with him because I am in him. I am bound to him. [14:21]
I am as much in Christ at this moment as I shall ever be. You agree with it? I am as much in Christ now as I shall be when I'm in the glory. It's a fact. It is something that has happened. It is something that has been done by God. I have died with him. I have been buried with him. I have risen with him. I am seated with him in the heavenly places. [22:08]
The scripture never calls upon me to crucify myself or to crucify the old man that is in me. But we are often told to do that, are we not? This is how this doctrine of the Cross is often preached. People say Christ has been crucified for you. All that remains now is that you submit to be crucified yourself with him. [24:20]
I no longer belong to the realm of sin. I no longer belong to the Dominion of Satan. Sin shall not have dominion over you. Mrs. Beaufort, you are not under the law but under grace. How often does he say that sort of thing? You have been translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of his dear son. [31:37]
The world a Democrat I once was is dead and is no longer in existence. Let me open that up just a little. Every one of us born into this world is born a child of Adam. We inherit from him that old sinful nature which is governed and controlled by sin and is a thirst to God. [26:46]
I am dead to sin. There's no need to argue, says Paul. It's an absolute fact. What happened to you in Christ and with Christ on the cross means that you are dead to sin, that you are finished with it and with its realm. You yourself, yes, but notice this: though I myself am dead to sin, what the apostle calls a body of sin remains in me. [36:51]
The Apostle tells us the whole human race fell. Why? Well, for this reason: that Adam was not only the head of the human race, he was also the representative of the human race. The whole of the human race was in Adam. Moreover, God appointed Adam as the federal head and representative of the entire human race. [10:53]
The key to overcoming spiritual depression and living a victorious Christian life lies in recognizing and standing firm in these truths. We must reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to God, not by our efforts but by the finished work of Christ on the cross. This understanding transforms our perspective, enabling us to face life's challenges with confidence and joy. [39:04]
When the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross on Calvary's Hill, you were also being crucified with him. Your whole dynamic man that you were died there. He's no longer in existence. Realize that, thank God for it, rejoice in it, and face every problem in life in death everywhere in the light of that glorious knowledge. [41:09]
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