4We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
- P78
5For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.
6For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—
7because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
- P79
Paul refutes the idea that believers can go on sinning so that grace may increase. He answers that those who are baptized into Christ are baptized intoHis death and just as Christ was raised from the dead, believers now live a newlife. Their old self is dead so that they are no longer slaves to sin. - P79
Dear Jesus, thank you for the new life we have through Your burial andresurrection. - P81
Help us to truly live as people who have been set free from sin.
In Your name, amen. - P81
In response to the idea that God‘s grace could promote careless living,
Paul strongly affirms that believers in Christ are no longer slaves to sin.
Our union with Christ means that we have died to sin and are raised withChrist to live a new life. Baptism becomes a visible symbol of this inwardtransformation: We are buried with Christ in death and raised with Him inresurrection life. - P80
Although we know the power of sin over us is broken, westill experience tensions as we battle its pull on our flesh. However, whilethe struggle with sin still exists, its power over us has been broken. This isnot merely a call to better behavior but to a new identity. Grace is not alicense to sin; it is the power to live in freedom and obedience to God. - P80
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves,
so that you live in fear again; rather,
the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.
And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." - P76
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