“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin” (Romans 6:6).
TEXT — Romans 6:1-10
Message
In the fifteenth century, Portugal became the first European nation to participate significantly in African slave trading. The Portuguese primarily acquired slaves for labour on Atlantic African Island Plantations and later for plantations in Brazil and the Caribbean, though they also sent a small number to Europe. Slavery in the United States ended by an act of Congress on January 1865 but unofficially continued for many more years. Slavery continued because many people were not aware that it had ended.
In today’s text, Apostle Paul likened sin and its captivity to slavery. Enslaved by iniquity, sinners are helpless, sold under sin. Sin drags its prey helplessly like condemned criminals to the gallows of execution. To have dominion, sinners must be repurchased from the slave market of sin. To achieve this, God sent His only begotten Son to take our place in death so we can take His place in life.
Today, sinners can have freedom from sin and enjoy full dominion over it. Identification with the death and resurrection of Christ by faith cuts us away from the world of sin. As death separates the dead from the living, so does dying to sin through salvation separates us from the control of sin. We must have this consciousness of our new status, deliberately and consciously refuse to allow sin have dominion over us any longer. Constant watchfulness and sobriety will help us cut off all correspondence and transaction with sin.
However, we must avoid the abuse of grace. This error makes some people believe that grace is so broad and sufficient to cover them no matter their sins. Today’s passage answers this error: “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid”.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
1 comment
God Almighty will continue to bless, reward and strengthen our Father In The Lord and multiply His Glorious Church in Holiness and fervency for His Services In Jesus Mighty Name. Amen!
God Almighty will continue to bless, reward and strengthen our Father In The Lord and multiply His Glorious Church in Holiness and fervency for His Services In Jesus Mighty Name. Amen!