8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
9For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.
10The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
- P82
13Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. - P83
14For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
- P83
If believers die with Christ, they will also live with Him. Christ, raised from thedead, cannot die again. Death no longer has mastery over Him. In the sameway, believers are to count themselves dead to sin but alive to God. - P83
Sin shouldnot rule in their bodies because they are under grace. - P83
Paul reminds us that just as Christ died and rose from the dead never to die again, we who are united with Him must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God. Sin is no longer our master; we now live under grace, not under the Law. This does not mean we live irresponsibly. It means we live with the empowerment of God’s grace that enables us to say no to sin and yes to righteousness. - P84
We are empowered to live a life of active obedience: to offer every part of ourselves to God as instruments of righteousness. - P84
Grace empowers transformation so that we do not simply avoid sin but are fully alive to God’s purpose. - P84
"In worship, God invites us to join him in what he is already doing."- Bob Kauflin - P84
Lord Jesus, thank you that sin no longer rules over me. Teach me to live under Your grace, daily surrendering my thoughts, actions, and desires to You. - P85
Strengthen me to reject sin and walk in obedience and joy, reflecting Your righteousness in everything I do. In Your name, amen. - P85
Yet because we have been made alive in Christ, the new heart that He hasgiven us convicts us of our sinful desires. This is why, when we realize ourown sin, we become repentant and seek to turn away from that sin. That isthe beauty of what God does for those who believe in Him. - P85
He gives thema new heart that is more and more inclined to follow Him, trust Him, andbelieve in Him. Because we are human, how we do this is far from perfect,
but over time, through reading God‘s Word, communing with other be-lievers, and being steadfast in prayer, the desires of our new hearts start toslowly reflect more of God‘s own. - P85
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