My God and My Country

Alive to God, Dead to Sin Part 2

Wherefore, if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall live also with him, Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead, dieth no more: death hath no more dominion over him.For in that he died, he died once to sin: but in that he liveth, he liveth to God. Likewise think ye also, that ye are dead to sin, but are alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin reign therefore in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof: Neither give ye your members, as weapons of unrighteousness unto sin: but give yourselves unto God, as they that are alive from the dead, and give your members as weapons of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the Law, but under grace.

The Epistle to the Romans 6:8-14 (Geneva Bible Translation Ed. 1599)

To all people, of all tongues and all nations, greetings in the mighty name of Jesus Christ

In today’s reading we must digress a bit and recall the in the Gospel of John 8:3-11. In it we read of the woman that was caught in the act of adultery, and how the mob of religious leaders sought to have her stoned by citing the law, (and were actually using her as a pawn to entrap Jesus), and how He spoke up on her behalf, and they were then made ashamed by being convicted of their own sins. 

Now, many people use this passage as a reason that one should not judge others, and there is definitely that message within it. However, it is the last two verses that pertain to our reading today. 

In verse ten, He asks the woman, as to where her accusers had gone and is there any one left to judge and condemn her. To which she replies that she neither sees them, nor knows where they’ve gone. Now, it is verse eleven that is the clincher of this passage. First one must remember that Jesus being the Son of God, is imbued with the Spirit of God. Along with the Spirit He is also vested in the Father’s righteousness, and most importantly was given ALL authority on earth. Therefore it was well within His authority and right to forgive the woman, and to tell her to SIN NO MORE. In effect, Jesus showed a glimpse of the coming grace and mercy that would be extended to all of us in the future. 

And so, it is now as it should be with the believer.  As Paul states, we are no longer under the curse of the law, nor that of sin, so that sin should no longer reign in our bodies. Indeed, we are still sinners, however, it is our duty to live as sin free as possible.  Will we stumble, yes, we will fall, even Paul speaks upon his own shortcomings later on in the epistle. We are to live, go forth with the knowledge that we’re now under grace, and SIN NO MORE. Remember, God has forgiven our sins, and we are now dead to them, they no long have sway over our temporal bodies. We are instead to present ourselves and our service to God in the best possible manner available to each of us. 

Friends, if you’ve come to this site for the first time, or are hearing the Word of God for the first time, you likewise qualify for the forgiveness as given by God. Pray with me if you will;

Dear Father I’ve read and heard your word. It has struck a chord within me, and I am now realizing that I have been a sinner. I confess these sins to You, and ask Your forgiveness. Please enter into my heart and teach me more of Your wisdom and offer of grace. I accept the blood of Jesus Christ as redemption for my sins, and place my life in Your hands, by laying down my own at the foot of the cross on Calvary. Amen