Do Not Let Sin Reign In Your Mortal Body

“Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that since Christ has been raised from the dead, he is never going to die again; death no longer has mastery over him. For the death he died, he died to sin once for all, but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you too consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires, and do not present your members to sin as instruments to be used for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who are alive from the dead and your members to God as instruments to be used for righteousness. For sin will have no mastery over you, because you are not under law but under grace.”  NET

I’ve encountered a compelling argument, one that Paul himself addresses in verse 1: if God extends His abundant grace to sinners, does that mean our continued sinfulness somehow magnifies that grace? It’s essential to grasp that this is a fundamental misunderstanding of grace. Sin is inherently linked to death; it separates us from God, which leads to spiritual decay. However, through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, the ultimate penalty for sin has been fully satisfied—that is, His death was not just a temporary fix, but a definitive resolution to humanity’s sin problem.

Jesus conquered death once and for all, establishing Him as the ultimate authority over sin. His singular sacrifice covers all of mankind—past, present, and future—and it is completed and perfect. We cannot contribute to His atoning work or diminish its power; it stands alone, uniquely sufficient and transformative. It is this complete sacrifice that enables believers to receive God’s grace and reconciliation, not a license to continue sinning.

Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us, willingly laying down His life while we were still lost in our sin. This profound act reveals the depth of His love, showing us that there is no prerequisite for His acceptance; we do not need to change or earn His affection before coming to Him. When we encounter Jesus, we experience a radical transformation that reshapes our very essence, making us new creations with renewed perspectives and a sense of purpose.

This transformation is intricately tied to the renewing of our minds—an inner awakening, or (anakinosis)—that empowers us to align our thoughts and desires with those of Christ. As we immerse ourselves in His teachings, reflect on His character, and witness His example, we find ourselves irresistibly drawn to Him. This magnetic pull ignites within us a sincere desire and profound joy to please Him, leading us to surrender our lives more fully to His will.

Through His boundless and unconditional love, we open ourselves to a journey of profound and meaningful transformation. As we gather the courage to release the weight of old, harmful patterns—be it the shadows of fear, the chains of anger, or the burdens of resentment—we embrace a radiant new identity grounded in compassion, forgiveness, and purpose. Continuously enveloped in His unwavering presence, we uncover an inner strength and resilience that illuminate our path.

This transformative journey not only deepens our intimate bond with Him, drawing us ever closer to His heart, but also empowers us to fully embrace the calling we have received as His cherished followers. With each step we take along this sacred path, we experience not only personal growth but also the profound joy of inspiring and uplifting those around us, becoming beacons of His love and light in the world.

At the heart of our discussion lies the wrong question, not of what actions we can still pursue as sinners, but the extraordinary transformation we will undergo each day into the radiant image of God, empowered by His unwavering righteousness. This process of sanctification is a beautiful journey, one where we gradually reflect the character and virtues of Christ in our daily lives. Each day presents a fresh opportunity to cultivate love, compassion, and holiness, allowing us to embody God’s nature more profoundly.

This shift in perspective is essential, as it extends beyond the confines of rule-keeping and moral obligation. It beckons us to embrace the staggering truth that we are completely forgiven, for all eternity, through Christ’s sacrificial love. This divine forgiveness isn’t merely a reprieve; it acts as a vibrant catalyst that inspires us to shed our old habits and step boldly into a new life filled with purpose and joy.

As we come to understand and cherish our identities as cherished sons and daughters of God, we are called to share our transformative experiences with the world around us. Our ultimate mission is to draw all people back to Him, proclaiming the life-altering message of the gospel—that they, too, can experience a deeply personal and transformative relationship with Christ as we have. This journey leads to a profound joy and freedom that flows from their being reconciled with their Creator, inviting them into the beautiful adventure of faith.

It is profoundly clear that as we steadfastly nurture our believing loyalty in Jesus Christ, sin cannot exert its mastery over us. This liberation is rooted in our release from the rigid constraints of the law and our embrace of the limitless bounty of God’s grace. This extraordinary grace not only wipes the slate clean of our past transgressions but also lovingly adopts us into His divine family as treasured children, providing us with a profound sense of belonging and purpose.

In addition, we are elevated to sit alongside Christ Jesus in the heavenly realms, a striking reminder of our spiritual status and the eternal hope that is ours in both the present moment and the future. This shift in perspective is vital; it transcends our own limitations and actions, emphasizing instead the awe-inspiring work He has accomplished on our behalf and continues to manifest through us every day. By fully embracing this transformative truth, we awaken to the empowered lives we are all called to lead—lives that radiate His love and grace to a world in desperate need of hope and redemption.

Stephen Barnett