April 27 | Romans 6:1-11
- Elaine Pierce
- 8 hours ago
- 3 min read
DAILY READING
Find additional "Dying to Live" study materials designed for small groups or individual use here.
REFLECTION
Death to Sin!
By Elaine Pierce
I counted the words "death" or "died" 11 times in these 11 verses. The apostle Paul certainly got my attention! What is the main point he is trying to make? He wants the church in Rome to know without a doubt that they should no longer be "slaves to sin." In fact, he encourages the church - and us - that when we are baptized into Christ Jesus, we can "count ourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus (v. 11)."
I would love to say that I am 'dead to sin,' but it is a daily struggle for me to live a life that is honoring to God. Yes, I claim the promise of eternal life. Just last week, we all sang joyful Easter hymns and we responded "He is Risen Indeed!" when our pastor said "He is Risen!" I know with certainty where I will spend eternity. And yet.....the struggle to be dead to sin continues. And it won't end until Jesus comes again, or until our own natural death as Paul says in verse 4:
"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."
II want to claim that promise to live a new life. A life alive to God in Christ Jesus. I will fall short, but one day I will meet Him face to face, and, thanks to Jesus' death and resurrection, he will say "welcome, good and faithful servant." Death will finally be conquered. Sin will be no more.
How can we make this new life in Christ Jesus a reality? There are no magic formulas that I have found. Daily Bible study. Prayer. Worship. Small group accountability. Rinse and Repeat. There will be dry times, there will be joyous times. But have no doubt: Jesus paid the price. You are forgiven.
Charles Wesley wrote hundreds and hundreds of hymns. He wrote "And Can it Be That I Should Gain," in 1738 to celebrate his conversion. The chorus is worth repeating:
Amazing love! How can it be? That thou my God should die for me.
It's amazing, and it's true. Hallelujah!
PRAYER
Spend time in prayer, thanking God for giving us new life. You might find meditating on the words to "And Can it Be That I should Gain" helpful. Click here to play.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ELAINE PIERCE
It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!