Scripture to Read: Romans 6:1–2
We start a new chapter this week in Romans. Remember, as we learned last week, God teaches us that He, through His Word, never encourages us to sin. But God uses His Word to bring our sin into His light (Ephesians 5:11–14) so that we walk in His Truth and not in darkness. We also learned that God’s grace abounds far beyond our sinfulness, so Christ’s righteousness abounds beyond our sinfulness. So, as we open Romans 6:1, God has Paul ask this absurd question, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?” God had Paul ask this question because, in the ugliness of our flesh, we would ask this kind of absurd question. In their sinful flesh, sinful people will always look for ways to sin and also want to enjoy the benefits of God’s grace. But that is not how God’s grace works. God makes the point clear about how His grace changes us and never leaves us the same. God had Paul continue in Romans 6:2, “May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” How could we, who have tasted the goodness and kindness of our God through Christ our Lord, continue to pursue our sinfulness? God wants us to see that pursuing our sinfulness would be like slapping Him in the face and then laughingly saying, “Oops, I’m sorry.” Everyone who has received God’s love and grace through Christ should pursue intimacy with Him, not the sin that easily entangles us (Hebrews 12:1).
Challenge & Application
What did God teach you today about your sinfulness and His grace that changes us?
· How are you pursuing your intimacy with our Lord and His Word and fleeing from your old way of life?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!