Romans 6:8-11 (WEL) 8 Now if we died along with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death doesn’t rule over him anymore. 10 Because he died, he died for sin only once, but because he lives, he lives for God. 11 So, in this way regard yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
V8 Now if we died along with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
We are in Christ, which means in His body, the church (Ephesians 1:23). The church is not a denomination but a living body of Christ-followers. Each Christ-follower has a ministry to the body. Since Jesus died, we died also. What died in believers was the sin nature. Our souls were regenerated, a brand-new creation, by God’s almighty power (2 Corinthians 5:17). We now live with Him, not physically (yet), but in spirit and witness.
V9 We know that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death doesn’t rule over him anymore.
Jesus died and cannot die again. So, death has no influence, effect, or power for Jesus to die again. See Hebrews 9:26-28 and Hebrews 10:12.
V10 Because he died, he died for sin only once, but because he lives, he lives for God.
Jesus could only die once, for He is sinless. He died as the Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7) for all people, if they meet His condition—faith in Jesus Christ. He did not die because He had sinned. He rose from death to live forever and for God. Living for God means in our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds according to the Father’s standards.
V11 So, in this way regard yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now, since verses 8-10 are true, we Christ-followers, are dead to sin and alive through Jesus to live for Him, who is the Lord of the church.
If we are dead to sin, we do not live for sin, sinful pleasures, or principles. We now live to be a witness for the one and only God by living His standards (the Law of Christ—Galatians 6:2) and serving Him by witnessing and learning more about Him.
We learn:
- We are different people because of our faith in Jesus Christ.
- We are Christ-followers with a purpose—to live for Jesus according to His standards.
Questions:
- Are you living for Jesus?
- Do you know God’s standards? If not, begin reading and studying the New Testament.