WHY SIN IS UNREASONABLE

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" (Romans 6:1-2)

Devotion 12 of 23

DEAD INDEED UNTO SIN

Our death to sin is a real death. It has occurred in the unseen part of us, and therefore sometimes escapes our attention; yet it is real. "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom 6:11). To "reckon" on something is to confidently proceed upon the truth of it. Other versions use the word "consider" (NASB, RSV) or "count" (NIV). This is an aspect of faith, enabling the believer to make progress in the Spirit, resisting the devil, without tangible evidence of his sonship.

Such is not an imagination. The circumcised heart has no affinity with sin. It is dead to it! The new life we have received from God hates sin, and holds no countenance for it. Christ within you (Col 1:27) has no more love for sin than He did when He walked among us. It is true, there is a part of our persons that is responsive to sin. It is called "the old man" (Eph 4:22-24), "the flesh" (Rom 8:4-8), and "another law" (Rom 7:23). That part, however, is the inferior part of us, and can be subdued in the power of the Spirit (Rom 8:13).

When the children of God are tempted, experiencing strong inclinations to sin through their flesh, they are to become active in their minds. They are to "reckon" or "count on" their death to sin. There is a part of them that has been born again, and has rich fellowship with the Father and the Son. They themselves are really dead to sin by virtue of their union with Christ. Sin, therefore, becomes unreasonable.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank you through Jesus for the new creation. Give me grace to walk in the energy of that new life through the power of Your Holy Spirit

-- TOMORROW: ALIVE FROM THE DEAD --