Transformed in Christ: Freedom from Sin's Dominion

 

Summary

In our exploration of Romans chapter six, we delve into the profound transformation that occurs when we are united with Christ. This union signifies a shift from the old order, represented by Adam, to the new order in Christ. As believers, we have been baptized into Jesus Christ, receiving a new identity and belonging to a new family. This transformation is not merely symbolic but has real implications for how we live our lives. We are no longer under the dominion of sin; instead, we are called to walk in the newness of life that Christ offers.

Paul's exposition in Romans 6 emphasizes that our old self, or the "old man," was crucified with Christ. This crucifixion signifies the end of our enslavement to sin. The body of sin, once dominated by death and sin, is now liberated. This liberation is not just about being free from the guilt of sin but also from its reign. We are no longer bound to sin's dominion, and this freedom empowers us to live righteously.

Paul uses the language of justification to explain this freedom. Just as one who has died is free from obligations, so too are we freed from sin's demands. This freedom is not about the absence of sin's presence but about its lack of control over us. We are on the victory side, united with Christ, and this union empowers us to resist sin's temptations.

Understanding our identity in Christ is crucial. We are no longer under the reign of sin but under the reign of grace. This knowledge should transform how we view ourselves and our actions. We are called to present ourselves to God, using our bodies as instruments of righteousness. The grace of God does not eliminate commands; rather, it empowers us to fulfill them with joy and purpose.

Key Takeaways:

- Our union with Christ signifies a profound transformation from the old order of Adam to the new order in Christ. This change is not just symbolic but has real implications for our lives, freeing us from the dominion of sin and empowering us to live righteously. [03:37]

- The crucifixion of our old self with Christ signifies the end of our enslavement to sin. This liberation is not just about being free from sin's guilt but also from its reign, allowing us to live under the dominion of grace. [07:07]

- Justification in Christ means we are freed from sin's demands. This freedom is not about the absence of sin's presence but about its lack of control over us, empowering us to resist sin's temptations. [09:59]

- Understanding our identity in Christ is crucial. We are no longer under the reign of sin but under the reign of grace, which should transform how we view ourselves and our actions. [15:23]

- The grace of God does not eliminate commands; rather, it empowers us to fulfill them with joy and purpose. We are called to present ourselves to God, using our bodies as instruments of righteousness. [20:21]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to Romans 6
- [00:31] - New Identity in Christ
- [01:02] - Union with Christ
- [01:34] - Exposition of Union with Christ
- [02:22] - Crucifixion of the Old Self
- [03:37] - Transition from Adam to Christ
- [05:23] - The Body of Sin
- [07:07] - Freedom from Sin's Dominion
- [09:59] - Justification and Freedom
- [11:41] - Living Free from Sin's Reign
- [15:23] - Identity in Christ
- [17:41] - Reckoning with Truth
- [19:50] - Grace and Commandments
- [22:31] - Instruments of Righteousness

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Romans Chapter 6

Bible Reading:
- Romans 6:1-14
- Galatians 2:20
- Romans 5:12-21

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Paul mean when he says we have been "baptized into Jesus Christ" and how does this relate to our new identity? [00:31]

2. How does Paul describe the "old self" and what happens to it when we are united with Christ? [02:22]

3. What is the significance of the phrase "the body of sin might be brought to nothing" in the context of Romans 6? [02:41]

4. How does Paul use the concept of justification to explain our freedom from sin's demands? [08:20]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the transition from being in Adam to being in Christ affect a believer's daily life and choices? [03:20]

2. In what ways does understanding our identity in Christ empower us to resist sin's temptations? [12:34]

3. What does it mean to be "dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus," and how should this understanding influence a believer's mindset? [16:26]

4. How does the concept of being under the "reign of grace" rather than the "reign of sin" change the way we view God's commands? [20:21]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you still feel under the dominion of sin? How can the truth of being united with Christ help you overcome these areas? [11:41]

2. How can you practically "present yourself to God as an instrument of righteousness" in your daily routine? What specific actions can you take this week? [20:45]

3. Consider a situation where you struggle with sin's presence. How can the knowledge that you are no longer under sin's reign help you respond differently? [12:20]

4. Think about your identity in Christ. How does this identity influence your interactions with others, especially those who may not share your faith? [15:23]

5. Identify a command from God that you find challenging to follow. How can the grace of God empower you to fulfill this command with joy and purpose? [20:21]

6. Reflect on a recent decision you made. Did it reflect your new identity in Christ, or was it influenced by your old self? How can you ensure future decisions align with your identity in Christ? [04:34]

7. How can you remind yourself daily of your freedom from sin's reign and your new life in Christ? Consider practical steps or habits you can incorporate into your routine. [16:26]

Devotional

Day 1: Transformation through Union with Christ
Our union with Christ signifies a profound transformation from the old order of Adam to the new order in Christ. This change is not just symbolic but has real implications for our lives, freeing us from the dominion of sin and empowering us to live righteously. When we are united with Christ, we receive a new identity and belong to a new family. This transformation is a shift from being under the dominion of sin to walking in the newness of life that Christ offers. It is a call to live a life that reflects this new identity, embracing the freedom and empowerment that comes with it. [03:37]

"For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." (1 Corinthians 15:22, ESV)

Reflection: What specific area of your life needs to reflect your new identity in Christ today? How can you actively live out this transformation in your daily actions?


Day 2: Liberation from Sin's Enslavement
The crucifixion of our old self with Christ signifies the end of our enslavement to sin. This liberation is not just about being free from sin's guilt but also from its reign, allowing us to live under the dominion of grace. The old self, or the "old man," was crucified with Christ, marking the end of our bondage to sin. This freedom is not merely theoretical; it is a practical reality that empowers us to resist sin and live righteously. Understanding this liberation helps us to embrace the grace that enables us to live a life pleasing to God. [07:07]

"For we know that our old self 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." (Romans 6:6, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a sin that you feel has dominion over you. How can you rely on the truth of your liberation in Christ to overcome it today?


Day 3: Justification and Freedom from Sin's Demands
Justification in Christ means we are freed from sin's demands. This freedom is not about the absence of sin's presence but about its lack of control over us, empowering us to resist sin's temptations. Just as one who has died is free from obligations, so too are we freed from sin's demands. This freedom allows us to live victoriously, knowing that sin no longer has the power to dictate our actions. Embracing this truth enables us to resist temptation and live in the freedom that Christ provides. [09:59]

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

Reflection: What temptation do you struggle with the most? How can you remind yourself of your freedom in Christ to resist it today?


Day 4: Embracing Our Identity in Christ
Understanding our identity in Christ is crucial. We are no longer under the reign of sin but under the reign of grace, which should transform how we view ourselves and our actions. This knowledge empowers us to live in a way that reflects our new identity, using our bodies as instruments of righteousness. Embracing our identity in Christ means recognizing that we are no longer defined by our past or our sins but by the grace that now reigns in our lives. This understanding should shape our actions and attitudes, leading us to live with purpose and joy. [15:23]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

Reflection: How does your understanding of your identity in Christ influence your daily decisions? What changes can you make to align more closely with this identity?


Day 5: Grace Empowers Obedience
The grace of God does not eliminate commands; rather, it empowers us to fulfill them with joy and purpose. We are called to present ourselves to God, using our bodies as instruments of righteousness. Grace is not a license to sin but a power that enables us to live in obedience to God's commands. This empowerment allows us to approach God's commands with joy, knowing that we are equipped to fulfill them. By presenting ourselves to God, we become instruments of righteousness, living lives that reflect His grace and love. [20:21]

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you use your body as an instrument of righteousness today? How can you let God's grace empower your obedience to His commands?

Quotes


Paul begins with a response that in a sense is pure emotion to the question will we continue in sin in order that grace may abound and then he gives his explanation as to why he has responded that way he understands that he is a christian believer who has been baptized into jesus christ he has a new identity he has been given a new name he belongs to a new family and therefore it follows logically and ought to follow spiritually that he lives out the new family lifestyle. [00:00:17]

The first is this that the old self the old man who pelios anthropos the former man the old man was crucified with christ second that happened in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing or perhaps in your translation destroyed and the result of that so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin so three very interesting statements number one the old man or the old self was crucified with christ. [00:02:18]

We were by nature united to adam to the old order to the fallen order to the sinful order but now we've been united to the new man the last adam our lord jesus christ we've been taken out of one family and placed in another family and what has effected that is that we have been crucified with our lord jesus christ remember galatians chapter 2 verse 20. [00:03:13]

Our union with the old man adam was broken and our union with the new man jesus christ is established the old man the old order has gone now paul is not simply talking about the two halves of his life before i became a christian and now that i am a christian that is included but he's thinking of that big picture that big narrative that we spoke about in an earlier session. [00:03:50]

Now i understand who i am now and you can see why paul ties all this to baptism because it tells us you have been baptized out of the world of adam out of the reign of sin into the world of the father the son and the holy spirit you remember how aaron when he pronounced the aaronic benediction that threefold blessing that was placed upon the people god said to him put my name on them. [00:14:10]

And the sense seems to me to be this that we have been set free from sin in order that we might live to god his the whole context here is is not actually about our justification is it it's about how we've been delivered from the reign of sin and i think this is confirmed in in several different ways one is in chapter 6 verse 18 where he says we have been set free from sin. [00:10:21]

We truly are justified and so we are set free from the guilt of sin but here he's saying that there is a double cure in the gospel we are set free not only from sins guilt we are set free from sin's reign now we are not yet set free from sin's presence and we need to understand that and paul does understand it and goes on to talk about it. [00:11:07]

But here is a glorious truth i as a christian believer i'm no longer under the dominion of sin i've been set free from it that's a very important thing for us to know because we continue to sin don't we um and sometimes when we continue to sin we are we are prone to listen to the evil one who says that you're not really free from sin at all. [00:11:37]

Paul is not saying we're free from the presence of sin he's saying we're free from the reign of sin and that's the only reason we are able to deal with the sin in our hearts if we are not set free from the reign of sin we have no choice but to sin but knowing that we've been set free from its reign that that's who we are liberates us. [00:12:14]

You must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to god in christ jesus now again let me put it negatively he's not saying i need to sit in a seat in the morning i'm dead to sin i'm dead to sin oh i must be dead to sin no he's saying you are dead to sin so don't think about yourself as though you weren't dead to sin. [00:16:27]

And paul is using that accountancy language he's not saying make this up about yourself he's not saying work yourself up to this he is not saying this is true of some christians but it's not true of other christians he's saying this is the truth depend upon it this is the truth reckon it to be true because it is true and when we grasp that when we grasp that this is the truth about us. [00:19:10]

The more we grasp the riches of the grace of god and the gospel the more ready we are for overwhelmingly powerful and demanding commands and demands there is a great tendency in the christian church to think that because there is so much grace in jesus christ there are no commands left that's not how it works what we find here in this passage is that because of the greatness of the grace of god and the gospel. [00:19:55]

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Transcript
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