1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin…
….12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace…
… 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.
Discussion Questions:
- How can a believer shift from identifying themselves by what they do (spiritual disciplines and good works) to resting in who they are in Christ as a new creation? What is the danger of mixing grace with law (legalism), and how does this affect a Christian’s relationship with God and with others? According to Romans 8, what does it mean to live by “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus,” and how is this different from trying to live the Christian life through human effort? (Romans 6:12-14; Gal 2:20-21)
- What does it mean that we are “united with Christ” in His death, burial, and resurrection, and how should this truth affect the way we view our past life and sinful habits? In what ways does individualism damage relationships and marriage, and how does dying to self in Christ transform the way we love and relate to our spouse?（Romans 6:4-6）
- In your faith journey, have you ever struggled with trying to please God through your actions? How did you come to a deeper understanding of your identity in Christ? In your daily life or relationships, have you experienced a transformation that comes from living “from the inside out” (such as forgiveness, patience, or love)? How has this impacted your relationships with others? （2 Cor 5:17；2 Peter 1:3-4）
Sermon Summary
This week’s sermon focuses on identity with Christ and the contrast between legalism and life in the Spirit. It teaches that believers are new creations, crucified with Christ, and no longer slaves to sin but alive in righteousness. The old self is considered dead, while the new life is empowered by the Holy Spirit to live from the inside out. Through faith, not works, Christians are called to renew their minds and walk in the Spirit rather than the flesh. Practical examples in marriage and daily life show that true transformation comes from Christ living within us, producing love, forgiveness, and holiness.