What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? —Romans 6:1
What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? —Romans 5:20-21
In Him (Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the RICHES OF GOD’S GRACE that He LAVISHED ON US with all wisdom and understanding. —Ephesians 1:7-8
By no means! (should we go on sinning so that grace might increase). We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 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. —Romans 1:2-4
“Ammaqing”
In the Inupiaq world, especially in the old days, Inupiaq women would put their baby on their back. That way they can still cut fish or work without having to worry about the baby. We would also do this to help put the baby to sleep. It’s called “ammaqing”.
When the mom is ammaqing a baby, whatever the mom does, the baby also does. If the mom is at the drying rack cutting fish, the baby is right there along with her. When the mom is picking berries or cutting kindling for firewood, the baby is as well. They are inseparable.
Paul is saying that is like our relationship to Christ. We are “ammaqing” Him, tied to His back. Ammaaqing Him in the grave when He was in the grave. And just as God raised Him from the dead 3 days later, because we’re on His back, we too are raised to a new life.
In other words: Jesus isn’t out sinning. Nor is He dying. Nor is he in the grave. He passed those stages. He’s alive and well, living a victorious life, seated at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf. And just as He is living that life, so are we!
Freed from sin
If we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection. For we KNOW that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. —Romans 6:5-7
Our old self has died to sin. If you were a slave, and you had a master. As long as you live, whatever the master tells you, you do it. However, if you die, it doesn’t matter WHAT the master says, it doesn’t matter HOW the master says it, it doesn’t matter HOW MANY TIMES the master tells you to do something, you CANNOT do it!
Paul is saying, you’re dead to your old master—Sin. You are freed from him. He no longer has control of you anymore.
Freed from death
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. For we KNOW that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him. The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God. —Romans 6:8-10
Jesus, not only defeated sin, but He also defeated the consequence of sin: DEATH!
How to live in victory
In the same way, COUNT yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. —Romans 6:11
The word “count” or “reckon” here is an accounting term. It means to calculate. Like when you get your bank statement at the end of the month. It has all of the deposits, all of the withdrawls, and at the end it “reckons” exactly how much money you have remaining. This word “count” or “reckon” means “do the math.”
So Paul is saying here, “Count, compute, calculate, with absolute assurance, that you are dead to sin, and alive in Christ.” Truly believe in it.
Do the math.
Our internal beliefs create our external behaviors.
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather OFFER yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness. —Romans 6:12-13
This word “offer” in other translations say, “yield”. The Greek word is: “par-‘is-tay-meeh”. It means, “to present, to place beside or near, to provide”.
It’s the same word used in Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to OFFER, to PLACE BESIDE OR NEAR, to PRESENT, to PROVIDE, your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. —Romans 12:1
Process For Living a Victorious Life:
1. Come to the revelation of God’s word.
2. Correctly understand God’s word.
3. You must believe in God’s word.