Victory Over Sin: Living Under Grace
Summary
In today's reflection, we delve into the profound truths found in Romans 6:14, where Paul declares, "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law but under grace." This passage serves as a cornerstone for understanding the Christian's victory over sin and the transformative power of grace. We explore the theme of spiritual depression, a condition where many Christians, despite their faith, find themselves in a state of unhappiness and defeat. This is not only tragic but also hinders the witness of the faith to a world desperately seeking hope and light.
The root cause of spiritual depression, as discussed, often lies in ignorance of the Scriptures. Without a deep understanding of the Word, Christians are prone to fall into despair and fail to live victoriously. The key to overcoming this is found in the doctrine of our union with Christ. Just as we were once in Adam, subject to sin and death, we are now in Christ, sharing in His death and resurrection. This union means that we have died to sin and are alive to God, a truth that must be realized and reckoned in our daily lives.
The Apostle Paul emphasizes that the Christian life is not about striving in our strength but about realizing our identity in Christ. We are to reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to God, not as a psychological trick but as a profound spiritual reality. This understanding transforms our approach to sin, recognizing that while sin may still reside in our mortal bodies, it no longer has dominion over us. Our victory is assured because we are under grace, not law. Grace empowers us, changes our desires, and assures us of God's ongoing work in us, bringing us to glory.
Key Takeaways:
- Union with Christ: Our victory over sin begins with understanding our union with Christ. Just as we were in Adam, we are now in Christ, sharing in His death and resurrection. This union means we have died to sin and are alive to God, a truth that transforms our identity and empowers us to live victoriously. [06:11]
- Reckoning the Truth: The Christian life involves reckoning ourselves dead to sin and alive to God. This is not a psychological trick but a spiritual reality that we must grasp and live out daily. By realizing this truth, we align our lives with the victory already won in Christ. [12:40]
- Sin's Residue: While sin no longer has dominion over us, it still resides in our mortal bodies. Understanding this distinction helps us recognize that our struggle is not against our true selves but against the remnants of sin in our flesh. This awareness empowers us to fight sin with confidence. [21:40]
- Certainty of Victory: Our victory over sin is assured because we are under grace, not law. Grace changes our desires, empowers us, and assures us of God's ongoing work in us. This certainty fills us with joy and confidence, knowing that God is bringing us to glory. [27:30]
- Living Under Grace: Being under grace means living in the freedom and power of God's love. It transforms our relationship with the law, making obedience a joy rather than a burden. As we yield ourselves to God, we experience increasing victory over sin and grow in righteousness. [35:14]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to the Sermon
- [00:24] - Romans 6:14: Key Verse
- [01:07] - Spiritual Depression in Christians
- [02:38] - Ignorance of Scriptures
- [03:22] - Problem of Sin in Christian Life
- [05:16] - Union with Christ: Key to Victory
- [07:34] - Dying and Rising with Christ
- [10:28] - Application of Truth
- [12:40] - Reckoning Ourselves Dead to Sin
- [20:17] - Sin's Presence in Mortal Body
- [25:24] - Certainty of Victory Over Sin
- [28:47] - Not Under Law, But Under Grace
- [35:14] - Living Under Grace
- [41:59] - Final Exhortation and Assurance
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 6:14: "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law but under grace."
Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he says, "For sin shall not have dominion over you"? How does this relate to being "under grace" rather than "under the law"? [00:40]
2. How does the sermon describe the condition of "spiritual depression" among Christians, and what is identified as a primary cause of this condition? [02:17]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the Christian's union with Christ in overcoming sin? [06:11]
4. What role does ignorance of the Scriptures play in the life of a Christian, according to the sermon? [03:08]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being "in Christ" change a believer's identity and approach to sin, as explained in the sermon? [07:16]
2. The sermon mentions that sin still resides in our mortal bodies. How does this understanding affect a Christian's daily struggle with sin? [21:40]
3. What does it mean to "reckon" ourselves dead to sin and alive to God, and how is this different from a psychological trick? [12:40]
4. How does living under grace, as opposed to the law, assure Christians of victory over sin? [28:47]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current understanding of your identity in Christ. How does this understanding influence your daily life and decisions, especially when facing temptation? [11:27]
2. Consider a time when you felt spiritually depressed or defeated. How might a deeper understanding of Scripture have changed your perspective or response? [03:08]
3. In what ways can you actively "reckon" yourself dead to sin in your daily routine? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of this truth? [12:40]
4. Identify an area in your life where sin seems to have a stronghold. How can the assurance of victory through grace empower you to confront this sin? [27:30]
5. How does the knowledge that sin no longer has dominion over you change your approach to spiritual disciplines like prayer and Bible study? [25:24]
6. What specific actions can you take to live more fully under grace, experiencing the joy and freedom it brings? [35:14]
7. Think of a situation where you struggle to obey God's commands. How can viewing obedience as a joy rather than a burden transform your attitude and actions? [35:14]
Devotional
Day 1: Union with Christ Transforms Our Identity
Understanding our union with Christ is foundational to experiencing victory over sin. Just as humanity was once in Adam, subject to sin and death, believers are now in Christ, sharing in His death and resurrection. This profound truth means that Christians have died to sin and are alive to God. This transformation is not merely theoretical but is meant to be realized and lived out in daily life. By embracing this new identity, believers are empowered to live victoriously, no longer under the dominion of sin but under the liberating power of grace. [06:11]
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: How does understanding your union with Christ change the way you view your daily struggles with sin? What practical steps can you take today to live out this new identity?
Day 2: Reckoning Ourselves Dead to Sin
The Christian life involves a conscious reckoning of oneself as dead to sin and alive to God. This is not a psychological trick but a spiritual reality that must be grasped and lived out daily. By realizing this truth, believers align their lives with the victory already won in Christ. This reckoning is an act of faith, acknowledging that while sin may still be present, it no longer has dominion over them. It is a call to live in the freedom and power of God's grace, allowing His transformative work to shape their desires and actions. [12:40]
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: In what areas of your life do you need to reckon yourself dead to sin? How can you practically remind yourself of this truth throughout your day?
Day 3: Recognizing Sin's Residue
While sin no longer has dominion over believers, it still resides in their mortal bodies. Understanding this distinction helps Christians recognize that their struggle is not against their true selves but against the remnants of sin in their flesh. This awareness empowers them to fight sin with confidence, knowing that their identity in Christ is secure. By acknowledging the presence of sin's residue, believers can approach their spiritual battles with a sense of hope and assurance, relying on God's grace to overcome. [21:40]
Romans 7:22-23 (ESV): "For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members."
Reflection: What specific "residues" of sin do you notice in your life? How can you rely on God's grace to address these areas and experience victory?
Day 4: Certainty of Victory Through Grace
Believers' victory over sin is assured because they are under grace, not law. Grace changes desires, empowers believers, and assures them of God's ongoing work in their lives. This certainty fills them with joy and confidence, knowing that God is bringing them to glory. Living under grace means experiencing the freedom and power of God's love, transforming their relationship with the law and making obedience a joy rather than a burden. [27:30]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: How does the assurance of victory through grace impact your daily walk with God? What steps can you take to live more fully in the freedom and power of His grace today?
Day 5: Living Under Grace
Being under grace means living in the freedom and power of God's love. It transforms the believer's relationship with the law, making obedience a joy rather than a burden. As believers yield themselves to God, they experience increasing victory over sin and grow in righteousness. This life under grace is marked by a deep sense of joy and confidence, knowing that God's transformative work is ongoing and will ultimately bring them to glory. [35:14]
Titus 2:11-12 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: In what ways can you yield more fully to God's grace in your life? How can you cultivate a joyful obedience to His will today?
Quotes
The key to the understanding of this chapter, as it is indeed the key to the understanding of the entire Christian life, is the doctrine of the union of the Christian with the Lord Jesus Christ. That's the key. He has unfolded that in the previous chapter, chapter 5, where his whole argument, you remember, has been this: the tie nature by-bust we are all in Adam. [00:05:58]
The Apostle takes it up, of course, in its context. He is interested primarily in the way that certain people misunderstand the doctrine and grace. And because he has said at the end of the previous chapter, where sin abounded, grace did much more abound, some were tempted to say, well, very well, if that is so, let us continue in sin that grace may abound. [00:04:27]
The first argument was that we have died with Christ. We've been baptized into his death. And when the Lord Jesus Christ was dying on that cross on Calvary, all believed in him were dying with him. Now, we work that out in detail because it's absolutely vital. We were crucified with him, we died with him, we were buried with him, we've risen with him. [00:08:12]
The way of victory in the Christian life is not primarily just to be praying and to be looking to Christ. The first thing we have to do is to realize the truth about ourselves in Christ. That's the purpose of this chapter. And again, I must point out how so much holiness teaching completely ignores this sixth chapter of Romans. [00:11:33]
The Christian is no longer vainly trying to make himself a better man by applying law, by trying to conform to the law. He's finished with it. He's not under law; he's under grace. What's that mean? Well, it means he's rejoicing in God's free favor. He has heard and he has believed the gospel which tells him that in spite of his failure and this sin, God is forgiving him. [00:35:14]
Sin is still here in the organization of our body, our mortal body, our flesh. The old man has gone, yes, but sin is still here in my body, in my physical being, which includes, remember, my mind and my understanding as well as my physical processes, my instincts, and all these things. Sin is still there in this mortal body. [00:21:40]
We have to realize the certainty of our victory over sin. Now then, that's the fourteenth verse. Listen to it again: for sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law but under grace. Now, that is again a categorical and an absolute statement. And yet, you know, people are afraid in it. [00:25:24]
The Apostle is simply saying here, I say categorically, that because we are joined to Christ, we are certainly inevitably going to be delivered entirely from sin, and that is why we should wait for the adoption to wit the redemption of our body. Now, that is the way in which we fight the problem and the battle of sin. [00:41:59]
The Christian is not one who goes through this life mourning and defeated and grumbling. Now, there have been Christian people who have put it like that, you know. The perfectionists and those who talk about an entirely cleansed heart, they have rather given the impression that the Christian in this life and in this world has a very, very defeated life. [00:24:28]
The Apostle doesn't tell us here to act as if this work is appeal is this: realize that it's true. How different it is true. I'm not persuading myself about something that isn't true. I am to realize that it is to I'm to grasp it, lay hold upon it, and truly to realize it in my constant thinking as well as in my living. [00:13:21]
The Christian is no longer trying to make himself something; he's been made something. He has received it as a gift from God. He's been given it freely without doing anything at all in his sins. God justifies the ungodly, so he's dead to the law, firstly with the law, but his resin with Christ. He's got a new nature. [00:36:52]
The Apostle tells a man, being troubled and harassed by sin, is not just simply to surrender it and to wait for victory. He says, working yourself to be dead indeed unto sin, and you've got to do it. Nobody can do this reckoning for you. It isn't the state of passivity. You and I agree literally gotta do this to ourselves. [00:19:18]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?