Romans 6:1-10
Key Verse: 6:5

“If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.”

In the previous passage we learned the importance of one man, Adam and Christ. Adam brought sin and death into this world through his disobedience and Christ brought justification and life through his obedience. There are three stages of Christian life: 1- justification, 2-sanctification, and 3-glorification. After justification, we can have peace with God, rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, rejoice even in our sufferings, and have assurance of salvation from the wrath of God. What comes after justification? It is sanctification. Sanctification is our new life to follow the glorious image of Jesus. Justification is one time thing but sanctification is a continuous process for us to grow in Jesus. Paul began to teach justified Christians how to overcome the power of sin and continue to remain in Christ and go on the process of sanctification. Paul switches his focus to the theme that our inner new life comes from justification through faith. I pray that we all may allow Christ to lead our life so that we can have a holy life as children of God. Let’s count ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. May God bless us to listen to Jesus our good shepherd and have a victorious life of faith through our upcoming Summer Bible conference.

PART 1. DEAD TO SIN (1-4)

Look at verse 1. “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?” Verse 1 is the counter-question of Romans 5:20 which says, “The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more…” Men needed justification from God. Justification is not related to works, or circumcision, or law. It is given freely by God’s grace to those who believe in Jesus. Men received abundant grace of God to be saved. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more. The more we sin, the more we receive God’s grace. But it does not make sense. Sin does not increase grace. Some people misused the grace of God. They abused God’s loving grace. To them Romans 5:20 looked like a license to sin freely. Some people may say, “Oh! I am saved by God’s grace and I am free to do anything. I love to have a wild party every Friday. I love to drink cool beers.” This kind of attitude makes people treat sin relatively and causes people to fall into the temptations to go on sinning. These days people are desensitized towards sin, “Hey! It is okay to sin as long as you feel good.” They say, “We’d better commit more sin so that we can receive God’s grace more.” One young man said, “I committed a lot of sin last night but I am okay this morning.” Abusing God’s grace is a worst sin. Jesus gave a warning to the man who had been an invalid for 38 years after healing him by his mercy in John 5:14, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” Here Paul refutes their intellectual hedonism. Look at verse 2. “By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”

Paul’s answer was “by no means.” It was a definite “no.” Why can we not go on sinning—keep on living the same old life—after being justified by faith (2)? First, sin has no place in our new life. We learned that Jesus died to save us from sin. What Jesus suffered for was to rescue us from the power of sin. How can we go on sinning? If we do so, we nullify the work of Jesus’ death on the cross. To live in sin is not compatible with a new life. Second, who wants to go back to the same old life filled with orgies, drunkenness, sexual immorality, dissension, and jealousy after being justified by faith? M. James Park used to live in sorrow and despair drinking heavily. He died to sin and became a missionary. His old name YanngHee Park no longer lives but Christ lives in him. M. James Park cannot go back to his dark old room and suicidal thoughts that he left behind several years ago. Now he has a wonderful God-loving family with his prayerful wife who supported him wholeheartedly when he received two-year wilderness training in Chicago and twin boys who will become his left and right hand men in the future. The other day his son Jacob brought him a watch at 5 AM and told him to go to center for the early morning intern prayer meeting. What is the probability for him to go back to his old life of fatalism and loneliness. It is nadir, zilch, and zero. In the same way we cannot go on sinning after we received grace of forgiveness for our sins through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is not possible for us to keep on sinning. We should not allow sin to reign in our life any more. Why? We died to sin and cannot live in it any longer. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:34, “Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God-I say this to your shame.” It is a senseless thing for us to keep on sinning. Sinning comes from the ignorance of God. Paul encouraged his flocks to stop sinning. It is unthinkable for us to live with sin because our sinful nature died. We broke our relationship with sin when we died to sin. We changed our life direction from the bondage of sin to the holy pilgrimage to heaven. We have a new life in Jesus because we gave up our old self in Adam.

What does it mean that we died to sin? Look at verses 3 and 4. “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Paul explains our new relationship with Jesus through the parable of baptism. Through the baptism of water and the Holy Spirit we were born again into the kingdom of God (John 3:5). In the same way we entered into a new life through Jesus’ baptism of death. Pay attention to the tense of the verbs Paul used to describe the baptism of Jesus’ death. He said, “All of us were baptized into the death of Jesus and we were buried with him.” He used the past tense. This means that the baptism of death into Jesus Christ was a past event. It happened when Jesus died on the cross and was buried in the grave. One of our favorite hymnals says, “Were you there when they nailed him to a tree? Were you there when they nailed him to a tree? O-----sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble! Were you there when they nailed him to a tree?” According to Paul, we were there when Jesus died for our sins and we were there when Jesus was buried in a tomb. Here baptism symbolizes a complete unity with Jesus. Our old man had a funeral when Jesus died and our old man under the power of sin was buried with Jesus. Our old man no longer lives within us. We said a good-bye to our old man. We said “adios or anyung or sayonara” to our old man. Paul tells us that Christ received the baptism of death to save us from our sins, and was raised from the dead so that we too may live a new life. In short, we should not think of the past when we indulged in the life of sin. Instead, we must believe that we died to sin when Jesus Christ died for us. Paul explains this truth more clearly in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Paul explains the effect of our unity into the baptism of Jesus’ death as a historical fact very eloquently. He declares, “I no longer live but Christ lives in me.” Our life goal has been changed from self-centered life to Christ-centered life by God’s grace. In the past we declared, “I am my own king.” We lived according to our sinful desires. As a result, we lived as the enemies of God. Now by the grace of God we were justified freely through faith in Jesus. Now Jesus is our King. We would like to do what Jesus wants us to do. Once a man named Levi served money as his king. He became a selfish sinner to please his sinful nature. When he met Jesus and accepted Jesus as his King, he was changed from a despicable sinner to Saint Matthew. Once a Samaritan woman served man as her king. She became a sinful woman with 5 husbands and 1 boyfriend. When she met Jesus and accepted Jesus as her true husband, she became a beautiful woman of God with mission. S. Bob Woods was changed from easy-going Bob to hard-working Bob who will deliver an earth-shaking message for our conference. What does it mean that Christ lives in me? It is like we changed our train from the one bound to the hell to the one bound to the heaven. Our life course has been changed from earthbound to heavenward. Our conductor was changed from sin to Jesus Christ in our train called “life.” For example, let’s compare our life to a car ride. We allowed Jesus to drive our car called “life.” We began to have a joy ride because we know who is driving our car. I was uncomfortable when I was in the back seat of the car driven by Jacob Jr. because he got many speeding tickets. But I relatively feel comfortable when John Lee gives me a ride because I know his driving record. How much more do I feel safe and joyful when Christ lives in me and leads my life with his love and grace. We know how reckless we were when we drove our life with our own sinful nature. We were sure to go into destruction with a wild ride. Sin made us to live a crazy life. Now we died to sin and have been freed from sin. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” Since we were baptized into the death of Jesus and died to sin, we should live a new life free from sin. We should imitate the image of Jesus and grow in the love of Jesus daily.

Someone might ask, “Why do I sin again and again though I died to sin? Why does my old habit pop up again though I died to sin? What’s wrong with me? I am frustrated! I don’t like me. Oh, what shall I do? Help me.” Of course, we’d love to be like Jesus as soon as we are justified through his grace. We would like to be a saint overnight. But that will not happen. Why? The process of sanctification occurs throughout our entire life. It is not a one-time event but a life-long struggle. Though we are justified freely through the grace of Jesus, we do not become holy miraculously. Anthony Oporto does not become “holy Anthony “simply because he is justified through faith in Jesus. S. Steve calls him ‘struggling Anthony” at this point. It will take time for him to be called “holy Anthony.” It takes time to be holy. When Paul said, “We died to sin”, he meant that sinners died to sin but sin still remains. Though we were freed from the power of sin, sin still exists and makes every effort to come into our new life. This struggle will continue until Jesus Christ comes again and destroys sin completely. How can we solve our reoccurring sin problem? We have to acknowledge that we died to sin. When sin knocks our door with a sly smile and wants to play with us, say to him, “Who are you? I don’t know you. I don’t recognize you. My old self had a funeral long time ago.” No one can overcome the power of sin with own will power or human efforts. Earnest Hemingway, an American novelist, tried to overcome sin of homosexuality with his will power. Eventually he shot himself. We can overcome our sinful nature by claiming the fact that we died to sin. Usually we fall into our old habit of sin when we do not listen to Jesus. It is easy to listen to sin when we are lazy. When we serve God diligently, sin has no opportunity to ruin our new life. The best way to avoid sinful life is to study the Bible and pray constantly. Jesus himself prayed for his disciples in his high priestly prayer in John 17:17, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” When we study the word of God, God cleanses our heart and prevents us from sinning. These days I see the power of Roman’s Bible study and memorization. Peace and joy returned to everyone. Sin became a stranger and had no room among us because we have the word of mighty Romans. Prayer is another way to overcome the power of sin. When we pray, the Holy Spirit comes on us and protects us from sin and guides us to his holiness. In the early morning our Bible center is filled with many people who are eager to pray. This is a sign of God’s working among us and we know that we have a new life in Jesus Christ. We can have a victorious happy new life with Christ.

PART II. ALIVE IN CHRIST (5-10)

In part 1 we examined one aspect of our unity with the baptism of Jesus’ death. Here we would like to look at our unity with Jesus in another aspect. Look at verse 5. “If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.” The precondition to be united with Jesus in his resurrection was the fact that we died to sin. There would be no resurrection without the death of Jesus. There will be no glory without suffering. We cannot participate in Jesus’ resurrection if we have not been united with Christ in his death. Death to sin is a precondition to participate in Jesus’ resurrection. We were buried in the tomb of Jesus. Now we can enjoy the full benefit of the union with Christ. Paul declares that we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. Wow! Verse 8 says, “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.” Many foreigners want to immigrate to the United States because they can receive full benefits like Social Security and Medicare that America offers to all citizens. U.S. constitution guarantees that all citizens have an inalienable right to purse happiness. When a woman is united with a wealthy man in marriage, she will have instant benefits to live in a mansion and drive a luxurious car. In the same way our union with Jesus guarantees our future glory in Jesus. Our ultimate goal is to be like Jesus in his image. We will live with Jesus Christ forever in the kingdom of God. This is a glorious living hope for all Christians who are justified freely through faith in Jesus. This is a great incentive for us to live a holy life of mission in Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15:22 says, “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” There is no death in Christ. Therefore, we will be like him in his resurrection. Of course, this will happen when Jesus comes again in his glory and majesty. Romans 8:17 confirms our assurance of glory in the future, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Because of Jesus’ resurrection we can face tomorrow and live a victorious life of faith. We will be like Jesus in his glorious resurrection if we share in his sufferings.

Jesus defined his unity with believers in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” We have an inseparable relationship with Jesus like the vine and branches. It is unthinkable to be separated from Jesus. If we do not remain in Jesus, we know we will wither without any nutrition and eventually die and will be useless before God and will be thrown into the fire. But as long as we remain in Jesus, we grow in his holiness and bear fruit that will last and bring glory and joy to God. Our life in Christ will be filled with happiness and joy in spite of many hardships in our way. After we are united with Jesus in his death, we will live with him. Look at verses 6-7. “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.” Verse 9 explains clearly about our current status with sin. “For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.” Sin and death have no business with us. Paul mentions another benefit of our union with Jesus Christ. It is freedom from the power of sin. Here Paul uses the legal term by saying, “Anyone who has died has been freed from sin.” When a criminal dies, the court cannot punish him any more. A dead person cannot be punished in our legal system. In fact, many ruthless criminals kill themselves after committing a horrible crime so as to escape arrest and punishment. But they will not escape their heavenly court date. Once we die to sin, sin has no jurisdiction over us and we are freed from sin. Since we are freed from sin and sin has no mastery over us. Sin has no control over us. There will no accusation from sin. Law has no power over someone who died. Therefore, we are no longer under the power of sin. We are no longer slaves to sin. Death has no mastery over us. Rather, we become children of God. Though we may experience the trace of sin here and there, we do not belong to sin any longer and we are freed from sin. Verse 11 says, “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Ignore our old master sin but listen to Jesus and obey his word to have a new life. Then we can offer our life to God freely and serve his will joyfully. What should be our direction for our new life? Look at verse 10. “The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.” Our life direction is to imitate Jesus and listen to him through his words. May God bless you to be sanctified by his word and continue to grow in the holiness of God.