Romans 6:11-12 So also continually count yourselves both dead to sin and alive to God in Messiah Yeshua. Therefore do not let sin rule in your mortal body so that you obey its desires.
Paul is on a mission. He’s writing to instill in us a visceral revulsion of sin. I’ve heard of being wanted “dead or alive,” but Paul wants us to count ourselves both “dead AND alive.” First, we must consider ourselves dead to sin.
Rabbi Trail: If we are in fact, dead to sin, then we no longer respond to it. The universal scientific test of life is response to stimulus. This applies to any life, plant or animal. Dead people, by definition, no longer respond to stimulus. End RT.
It is important to remember that sin is easily defined. Significantly, sin is not what makes you feel bad or guilty. It is simpler than that. Sin is breaking God’s law (which also breaks God’s heart). Read “1 John 3:4” if you need to be refreshed in this. Once we are dead to sin, by grace, we no longer have the desire to break God’s law.
Jacob 1:15 Then when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is full grown, it brings forth death. So then, like the Fram auto filter man (pay me now or pay me later), we die to sin (desire) now, or die eternal death later.
That death now (to sin) is part of a singular process, the second part of which is a resurrection to (new) life in Messiah Yeshua. Yes, we are born again which is “made alive” (unto eternal life) in Messiah Yeshua. Let’s summarize these thoughts to this point. Colossians 2:13 When you were dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with Him when He pardoned us all our transgressions.
The last part of our subject verses today involves a warning from Paul. Romans 6:12 Therefore do not let sin rule in your mortal body so that you obey its desires. I know too many believers who are comfortable with sin. They want to play with it, to see how close they can come to the edge of sinning. Take my word for it, take Paul’s word for it, take God’s word for it: this is a game you don’t want to play.
Let’s pray … Lord, make any transgression of Your loving command repulsive to us. Your goodness is too sweet. May we have the courage and character, a gift of the Holy Spirit, to receive your command … Jacob 4:7 Therefore submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you. In Yeshua’s name, amen.