Grace Bible Church

4000 E. Collins Rd. P.O. Box #3762 Gillette, WY 82717 (307) 686-1516

“Preaching the Living Word through the Written Word (2Tim 4:2)”

STEPS TO VICTORY OVER SIN

(Rom 6:10-14)

Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming

Pastor Daryl Hilbert

INTRODUCTION

A. Chapter six shows us one more benefit of justification, i.e. victory over sin. We began the chapter by discussing the biblical perspective of sin in 6:1-2. We are not to keep on sinning to make grace abound but are to live victoriously over sin in our new position in Christ. This does not mean that we are sinless but it does mean that we should sin less.

B. Next, we taught on Spiritual Baptism in 6:3-6. We learned that the Holy Spirit baptizes every believer into Christ’s death and resurrection. This was the means by which a believer can have victory over sin. This passage does not teach baptismal regeneration.

C. Then we studied 6:6-9 to understand the “old self” and the “new self.” The old self was everything we were in Adam. However, the old self was crucified with Christ and now we are in the new self in Christ. This becomes the basis for the believer’s victory over sin.

D. Now we want to put it all together in 6:10-14 in a practical way to look at the steps to victory over sin. It has been broken down into four steps:

1. “Realize” the old self is dead (6, 9)

2. “Reckon” the new self is alive (11)

3. “Refuse” to let sin reign (12)

4. “Recommit” yourselves to God in obedience (13)

I. “REALIZE” THE OLD SELF IS DEAD (6, 9)

A. Paul uses the phrase “knowing” two times in this passage. There are two things that the believer must know or realize.

B. First, he must realize that the believer’s old self has been crucified with Christ (6). Secondly, the believer must realize that because Christ has been raised from the dead, death will never again be master over Christ (9).

C. The reason that death will no longer be master over Christ is because Christ died “once for all” (ephápax - a single and complete occurance; i.e. once and for all). Now Christ lives to God.

II. “RECKON” THE NEW SELF IS ALIVE (11)

A. Since Christ is dead to sin, but alive to God, and since the believer has been united with Christ, the believer is to consider or reckon himself also dead to sin but alive to God.

B. The word consider or reckon is the word logízomai which means to count, credit, calculate or reckon. It was used in chapter five when referring to the fact that God credits or counts Christ’s righteousness as the believer’s. Here it means that the believer is to count a fact as a fact.

C. The fact is that the believer “is” dead to sin and “is” alive to God. The believer does not have to hope this becomes a reality. It “is” a reality. Now the believer must make an objective reckoning to this reality in his life. This reckoning must be done by the believer continually (i.e. present imperative).

D. It is difficult to always see ourselves as alive spiritually when so often we are prone to fleshly living. But the Christian life is always lived by faith and it is by faith that we are to believe that we are alive to God. Regardless of emotions, feelings, and even circumstances, the believer is positionally alive in Christ.

III. “REFUSE” TO LET SIN REIGN (12)

A. Paul uses “therefore” (oún - introduces a logical result or inference) to show that the believer can refuse to sin based on our unification with Christ. Because the believer is dead to sin and alive to God, he is to refuse to let sin reign in his life.

B. The Scriptures command the believer to refuse to let sin be king over his life. On an ancient Greek coin was the inscription, Megas Alexandros Basileus Makedonon, which read. Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia. The word “reign” in our text is the verb form of the word king (basileúō). Believers are not to let sin rule and reign or be king and master over them.

C. This is a present imperative which could be translated, “You must keep on refusing to let sin rule in your life.” It is accomplished through the believer’s continuous volition regardless of the believer’s emotions or lusts (epithumía impulse, desire, or craving) in the mortal body. Indeed, there will be many battles waged. However it is based on what has already happened to the believer.

IV. “RECOMMIT” YOURSELF TO GOD IN OBEDIENCE (13-14)

A. Rather than obey (hupakoúō - hear and obey, listen to, mind) the lusts of the body (12) the believer is now to recommit himself to God and obey Him.

B. Similar to vs. 12 the believer is commanded not to keep on presenting (pres imper - parístemi - lit. to place alongside, place at one’s disposal, cp. Rom 12:1) himself to sin. The believer is not to make himself available or willing to do sin’s bidding.

C. Rather (allá - conj. on the contrary), the believer is to present himself (heautou - emphatic here) once and for all (aor imper - parístemi) to God. This is the believer new state and perspective based on his new position in Christ. The believer’s new life is not his own but is God’s to do with as He pleases.

D. Before coming to Christ, the believer and his members were characterized by unrighteousness. Now, after coming to Christ (and being justified) and alive from the dead, the believer and his members are characterized by righteousness.

E. Paul concludes this section with an amazing declaration. Sin shall not have dominion over the believer. This is not saying that the believer cannot sin. Rather this is explicitly saying that once in Adam sin had dominion. Now in Christ, through union with Christ and the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, sin no longer has dominion (kurieúō).

F. In conclusion, by “realizing,” “reckoning,” “refusing,” and “recommitting,” the believer will avail himself of his powerful position in Christ and will have victory over sin. Through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, only Christ will be the believer’s Master.

V. APPLICATION

A. Addiction

1. There is no question that addictions can involve physiological elements. At times even medication becomes necessary. But at the very heart of all addiction is sin and sin is a spiritual problem.

2. All spiritual problems must be dealt with through spiritual solutions, which entail salvation in Christ and victory over sin. The steps to victory over sin in Rom 6:1-14 are for every believer including those with addictions. While there may be other contributing factors to overcome addictions, knowing and applying Rom 6:1-14 is the major factor.

B. Positive Thinking

1. The problem with Positivism (Positive Thinking) is that all the positive thinking in the world will not bring victory over sin. Once again, spiritual problems must be dealt with through spiritual solutions. It is Biblical Thinking and Biblical Responding that brings victory over sin.

2. When the believer reckons that he is dead to sin, he is not making it happen through Positive Thinking. Instead, he is believing and responding upon what God has already done.

C. A Battle To Be Reckoned With

1. There is a battle to be waged in the Christian life. Oddly enough the war has been won by our Champion-Savior. But there are myriads of skirmishes that must be fought.

2. Do not grieve if you find yourself always in the midst of skirmishes. Rather fret, grieve, and awaken if you hardly ever hear the trumpet sound and you have no bruises to show for your worth as a soldier in the King’s army.