Romans 6:11 - Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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What does "Romans 6:11" mean?
Romans 6:11 is a powerful and foundational verse in understanding Christian life. Let's break it down:
"Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin..."
"Thus": This word connects this verse to the preceding arguments in Romans 6, particularly the idea of baptism as a symbolic death and resurrection with Christ. It's a logical conclusion based on what Paul has already explained.
"Consider yourselves": This is a crucial point. Paul isn't saying that we automatically feel dead to sin. It's an imperative – a command. We are to choose to view ourselves in this way. It's a deliberate act of the will, a perspective we adopt. It's not a feeling, but a choice based on faith. Think of it like this: a judge declares you innocent in a courtroom. You are legally innocent, but you have to accept and live in that reality.
"Dead to sin": This doesn't mean we won't ever struggle with sin again. Instead, it means that sin no longer has the power and authority over us that it once did. We are no longer slaves to sin. We have been freed from its dominion. Our old self, the self that was completely controlled by sin, has been crucified with Christ (Romans 6:6). We have died to the old way of life.
"...but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
"Alive to God": This is the positive side of the equation. We are not just dead to something; we are alive to something new! We have been resurrected to a new life, a life in relationship with God.
"In Christ Jesus our Lord": This is key. Our new life, our aliveness to God, is completely dependent on our union with Christ. It's not something we can achieve on our own. It's a gift received through faith in Jesus. He is the source of our new life. "Our Lord" emphasizes His authority and ownership over us.
In essence, Romans 6:11 is a call to:
Recognize and believe the truth: Based on what Christ has done for us (dying and rising again), we are no longer bound by sin's power.
Actively embrace this reality: Choose to view ourselves as dead to sin and alive to God. This requires a conscious effort to resist temptation and to pursue righteousness.
Live out our new identity: Let our thoughts, words, and actions reflect the fact that we belong to God and are no longer slaves to sin.
Practical Implications:
Dealing with Temptation: When tempted to sin, we can remind ourselves that we are "dead to sin" and therefore don't have to give in. We have the power to say no because of Christ.
Living a Purposeful Life: Being "alive to God" means living with a purpose beyond ourselves, seeking to please God and serve others.
Growth in Holiness: It's a continuous process of aligning our lives with the truth of our identity in Christ. It involves reliance on the Holy Spirit and a commitment to ongoing discipleship.
In short, Romans 6:11 is not just a nice-sounding phrase; it's a call to transform our thinking and living based on the revolutionary reality of our union with Christ. It empowers us to break free from the power of sin and live a life of freedom and purpose in God's grace.
Romans 6:11 - Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
What does "Romans 6:11" mean?
Romans 6:11 is a powerful and foundational verse in understanding Christian life. Let's break it down:
"Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin..."
"Thus": This word connects this verse to the preceding arguments in Romans 6, particularly the idea of baptism as a symbolic death and resurrection with Christ. It's a logical conclusion based on what Paul has already explained.
"Consider yourselves": This is a crucial point. Paul isn't saying that we automatically feel dead to sin. It's an imperative – a command. We are to choose to view ourselves in this way. It's a deliberate act of the will, a perspective we adopt. It's not a feeling, but a choice based on faith. Think of it like this: a judge declares you innocent in a courtroom. You are legally innocent, but you have to accept and live in that reality.
"Dead to sin": This doesn't mean we won't ever struggle with sin again. Instead, it means that sin no longer has the power and authority over us that it once did. We are no longer slaves to sin. We have been freed from its dominion. Our old self, the self that was completely controlled by sin, has been crucified with Christ (Romans 6:6). We have died to the old way of life.
"...but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
"Alive to God": This is the positive side of the equation. We are not just dead to something; we are alive to something new! We have been resurrected to a new life, a life in relationship with God.
"In Christ Jesus our Lord": This is key. Our new life, our aliveness to God, is completely dependent on our union with Christ. It's not something we can achieve on our own. It's a gift received through faith in Jesus. He is the source of our new life. "Our Lord" emphasizes His authority and ownership over us.
In essence, Romans 6:11 is a call to:
Recognize and believe the truth: Based on what Christ has done for us (dying and rising again), we are no longer bound by sin's power.
Actively embrace this reality: Choose to view ourselves as dead to sin and alive to God. This requires a conscious effort to resist temptation and to pursue righteousness.
Live out our new identity: Let our thoughts, words, and actions reflect the fact that we belong to God and are no longer slaves to sin.
Practical Implications:
Dealing with Temptation: When tempted to sin, we can remind ourselves that we are "dead to sin" and therefore don't have to give in. We have the power to say no because of Christ.
Living a Purposeful Life: Being "alive to God" means living with a purpose beyond ourselves, seeking to please God and serve others.
Growth in Holiness: It's a continuous process of aligning our lives with the truth of our identity in Christ. It involves reliance on the Holy Spirit and a commitment to ongoing discipleship.
In short, Romans 6:11 is not just a nice-sounding phrase; it's a call to transform our thinking and living based on the revolutionary reality of our union with Christ. It empowers us to break free from the power of sin and live a life of freedom and purpose in God's grace.