Useful Bible Studies > Romans Commentary > chapter 6
Christ died to end the power of sin - the evil attitudes, actions and behaviour that control people’s lives. Then Christ became alive again, never to die again.
Paul urges Christians to recognise what Christ has done as part of their own experience. Christ died for their sins (5:8): that is as real as if they had died for their own sins (6:23). So, whenever someone invites Christ into his or her life, that person really is free from the power of sin.
That fact is clear to the inhabitants of heaven (Luke 15:7; Luke 15:10). It is perhaps less clear to us while we remain here on earth. It seems easier to believe our feelings, fears and doubts than to believe God’s promises (for example, Isaiah 55:7; John 3:16; Acts 2:38-39). Then we allow our own wrong desires and evil thoughts to tempt us to do wrong things.
When we then ask Christ to forgive our sin, we recognise the true situation. If he had not destroyed the power of sin over our lives, he could not forgive us. However, if we confess our sins to him, he will forgive us (1 John 1:9).
Christ’s new life makes our new life possible (John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:4). He has freed us from the power of sin, so that we can live for God. We are often slow to change how we think, speak and behave. However, we must change these things, because we are now God’s people (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). We probably cannot change these things by our own efforts, but God does not want us to live by our own efforts. Instead, we must allow his Holy Spirit to work in our lives (Galatians 5:16). Then the Holy Spirit shows us how to live in the manner that pleases God (Galatians 5:22-25).
Next part: Christians should stand against sin in their lives (Romans 6:12)
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