“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?“
Romans 6:1-2

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There are more than 30 different words in the New Testament that convey some notion of sin; Paul uses at least 24 of these words in his letters to the Christians of his time. And yet, the focus of this passage does not point at how broken our relationship is with God but instead how powerful His grace can be when we understand it correctly.

Paul’s question challenges our understanding of grace and its impact on our lives. The NIV Study Bible commentary emphasizes that Paul is not granting grace as a license to sin but presenting it as a catalyst for transformation. It’s an opportunity to realize how ample the opportunity is to grow our faith and to recognize the immense power of our union with Christ.

Paul has been preaching for a few chapters that Jews and Gentiles alike are included in the family through grace alone, so 6:1 is probably a question he has been asked before. He gives a direct and unequivocal answer: “By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” This statement highlights the believer’s new identity in Christ. We are no longer slaves to sin but are empowered by God’s grace and the sacrifice of His Son to live in righteousness.

As we serve our family, our church, and our community, it is essential to remember that we are sharing the abundance of God’s grace and not the abundance of our righteousness. It is because we are united with Christ that we can wash other people’s feet like Jesus did. Whether working on a project during CareFest, opening doors for Sunday visitors, serving our community through Puente del Pueblo, or being sent to serve the world with our Go Teams, we do these things because of the power of Christ in us.

I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!
Galatians 2:20-21

The more we exercise our union with Christ by serving the world in righteousness, the more we will see this world transformed into a better place, and the more we will see ourselves transformed into the image of Christ. God’s grace is a catalyst for the transformation of our souls and our communities, and it sets us apart from the destruction of a sinful life.

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • How do you understand the balance between God’s grace and our responsibility to live righteously?
  • In what areas of your life do you see the transformative power of God’s grace at work?

Church Bible Reading: Proverbs 5; Galatians 4