Lesson Description
In this lesson, we will study what the Bible teaches about our freedom from the power of sin through Jesus Christ. Many believers understand that Jesus forgives their sins but may not fully understand that, through His finished work, they have also been brought into a new life. We will explore the difference between being under the dominion of sin and experiencing the ongoing process of spiritual growth. We will learn that grace does not encourage us to continue in sin; rather, it teaches us to live in the freedom Christ has provided.
1. Sin Shall Not Have Dominion Over Us
Key Scripture: Romans 6:14 (KJV)
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
This verse reveals an important truth about the believer’s new position in Christ. We are no longer under the dominion of sin as our ruling master.
Under grace, we are no longer trying to overcome sin in order to earn God’s acceptance. Instead, we learn to live from the new life we have received through Jesus Christ.
This does not mean that believers never struggle with sinful thoughts, habits, or actions. Christians still need to renew their minds, grow in understanding, and learn to walk according to the Spirit.
However, we must not confuse the presence of a struggle with the belief that sin must forever control us. Through Christ, we have been given a new standing and the opportunity to live differently.
Remember: Sin may still present a temptation, but believers are not required to treat it as their master.
2. We Have Been Set Free from Sin
Key Scripture: Romans 6:6–7 (KJV)
“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.
For he that is dead is freed from sin.”
Paul explains that our old identity in relation to sin has been dealt with through our union with Christ in His death.
The expression “old man” refers to our former identity in Adam, particularly in relation to the old life dominated by sin. Through Christ, we have entered into a new life.
We must understand that freedom from sin does not mean that our physical bodies disappear or that temptation no longer exists. Rather, we are no longer required to live as slaves to sin.
We can now learn to think, choose, and act in ways that reflect our new life in Christ.
For example, someone who previously responded to every disagreement with anger can learn to pause, consider God’s Word, and respond with patience. The change may require continued growth, but the person does not have to accept anger as an unchangeable master.
Remember: In Christ, we have been brought out of our former relationship with sin and can learn to live according to our new identity.
3. We Are Alive unto God Through Jesus Christ
Key Scripture: Romans 6:11 (KJV)
“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
The word “reckon” means to consider or account something to be true.
Paul instructs believers to recognize what God has accomplished through Jesus Christ. We are to consider ourselves dead to sin but alive to God.
This is not about pretending that temptation does not exist. It is about agreeing with God’s Word concerning our new position.
When we believe that we are helpless victims of sin, we may stop resisting temptation because we assume that failure is inevitable.
But when we understand that we are alive unto God through Christ, we can respond differently. We can refuse to let temptation determine our actions and choose to follow God’s truth.
Our actions should increasingly reflect the reality of our new life.
Remember: We learn to live differently by recognizing what God has accomplished for us through Jesus Christ.
4. We Must Not Use Grace as an Excuse to Continue in Sin
Key Scripture: Romans 6:1–2 (KJV)
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”
Paul directly addresses the idea that, because grace is abundant, believers can deliberately continue living in sin without concern.
His answer is clear: God forbid.
Grace is not permission to ignore God’s truth. It is God’s provision through Jesus Christ, bringing us into a new relationship with Him and teaching us a new way of living.
We must distinguish between a believer who is growing and sometimes makes mistakes and someone who deliberately uses grace to justify wrongdoing.
When we understand grace, we do not become careless about sin. We become more aware of the new life we have received and learn to live in a way that reflects it.
We do not obey God to purchase salvation. We learn to walk in obedience because we have received new life through Christ.
Remember: Grace does not make sin our right; it teaches us to live in the freedom Christ has provided.
5. We Can Present Ourselves to God as Instruments of Righteousness
Key Scripture: Romans 6:13 (KJV)
“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”
Paul teaches believers to make choices that reflect their new life.
Our hands, mouths, minds, and actions can be used in ways that either harm others or serve what is right.
For example, our mouths can be used to spread gossip or to encourage someone. Our hands can be used to take what does not belong to us or to help someone in need. Our minds can dwell continually on destructive thoughts or be trained through God’s Word.
These choices matter because our daily conduct should reflect the life we have received in Christ.
We should not approach Christian living as though we have no responsibility. God’s grace gives us a new foundation, and we are called to respond by presenting ourselves to Him.
Remember: Our new life in Christ should influence the choices we make and the way we use our abilities.
6. We Walk in Newness of Life
Key Scripture: Romans 6:4 (KJV)
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to our new life.
Paul explains that just as Christ was raised from the dead, believers should walk in newness of life.
Christianity is not merely about receiving forgiveness and then continuing to live as though nothing has changed. Through Christ, we have received a new life that should increasingly shape our conduct.
This newness affects our attitudes, relationships, decisions, and priorities.
We may still need to unlearn habits formed before we understood the truth. We may need to correct our thinking and develop new patterns of behavior. But we can do so with the understanding that our new life is rooted in Christ.
We are not trying to become new creations through our own efforts. We are learning to live according to the new life God has given us.
Remember: Our new life in Christ is not merely a promise for the future; it is a reality that should influence how we live today.
Lesson Takeaway
Through Jesus Christ, we have been brought into a new relationship with sin. Sin is no longer our rightful master, and we are not required to live as slaves to its power.
However, freedom from sin’s dominion does not mean that temptation disappears or that believers never make mistakes. We must continue to renew our minds, understand God’s Word, and make choices that reflect our new life.
We do not fight for God’s acceptance through our own efforts. We learn to live from the freedom and new identity we have received through Jesus Christ.
Central Truth: We are no longer under the dominion of sin because we are under grace. Through Christ, we can walk in newness of life and learn to live according to the truth of who we are in Him.
Reflection for the Student
Take a moment to consider these questions:
- Have you ever believed that a particular sinful habit was too powerful for you to overcome?
- How does understanding Romans 6:14 change the way you think about sin and grace?
- What practical step can you take to bring your daily conduct into agreement with your new identity in Christ?