(Rom) 6:6, 8-11 CJB “We know that our old self was put to death on the execution-stake with him, so that the entire body of our sinful propensities might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. Now since we died with the Messiah, we trust that we will also live with him. We know that the Messiah has been raised from the dead, never to die again; death has no authority over him. For his death was a unique event that need not be repeated; but his life, he keeps on living for God. In the same way, consider yourselves to be dead to sin but alive for God, by your union with the Messiah Yeshua.”

Dead to sin, alive for God. That is how Paul describes the Christian life. Christianity isn’t simply believing that Jesus died and rose again so we can go to heaven someday. Through our union with Christ, His death and resurrection change who we are and how we live right now.

Jesus died for sin.

Jesus rose from the dead.

Jesus now lives for God.

And Paul says those united with Jesus are to consider themselves dead to sin and alive for God.

Dead to Sin, Alive for God

Paul writes: “Our old self was put to death on the execution-stake with him…and we might no longer be enslaved to sin.”

Notice what changed.

Before Christ, sin was our master.

But Jesus didn’t merely forgive our sin. Through our union with Him, He broke sin’s dominion over us.

That doesn’t mean Christians never sin or never struggle with temptation. It means sin is no longer our rightful master.

We don’t have to obey it.

Our old life was centered on ourselves—our desires, our pleasures, our priorities and our plans.

Now we belong to Jesus.

Live Like the One You Follow

Paul says of Jesus: “His life, he keeps on living for God.”

Then he immediately tells us to do the same.

This is the Christian life.

Jesus came not to do His own will but the will of the Father who sent Him.

So should we.

Jesus lived to please His Father.

So should we.

Jesus lived in perfect obedience to His Father’s commands.

We pursue obedience to everything Jesus commands.

Jesus displayed the holy character of God.

We walk by the Spirit so His character increasingly becomes visible in us.

Jesus came to seek and save the lost.

He sends us to make disciples.

Christianity is not adding Jesus to the life we already wanted.

It’s dying to the old life and living a new one for God.

Becoming Like Jesus

God’s purpose isn’t merely to rescue us from judgment.

He is transforming His children into the image of His Son.

Paul calls Jesus “the firstborn among many brothers” (Romans 8:29). Through the work of the Holy Spirit, our character, commitments and commission should increasingly resemble Christ.

Jesus said:

Deny yourself.
Take up your cross.
Follow Me.

That’s radically different from the message our culture gives men.

The world tells us to pursue ourselves.

Jesus tells us to deny ourselves.

The world says, “Live your truth.”

Jesus says, “Follow Me.”

The world asks, “What do I want?”

A man who belongs to Jesus asks:

“Lord, what do You want?”

That is what it means to be dead to sin, alive for God.

Not sinless perfection.

Not earning salvation.

But a new master, a new direction and a new purpose because we have been united with Christ.

Run Today’s Play

Identify one area where you’re still obeying your old master.

Maybe it’s lust.

Pride.

Anger.

Greed.

Comfort.

Selfishness.

Passivity.

Then remind yourself of Romans 6:

Sin is no longer your master.

Don’t merely try harder to resist it. Bring that area before Jesus and deliberately choose obedience.

Ask yourself today:

“What would obedience to Jesus look like right here?”

Then do it.

You died with Christ.

Now live for Him.