TOPIC: DYING TO SIN
ANCHOR TEXT: Romans 6:1-2
[1]What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
[2]God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
AIMS:
● To make us understand that Grace is not a license to sin
●To make us understand we can live a sin free life
● To show the Believer how they can overcome Sinful habits.
INTRODUCTION
A believer must have a worldview that is from the scripture, today, we have believers who
hold on to certain “truth” about themselves or the Christian faith which sometimes can stem
from experiences, wrong bible interpretations or even from the world. This therefore would
also apply to certain truths about sin, its consequences or even Overcoming sinful habits
which seems to be our emphasis in this study.
1 Corinthians 10:11.
The word “example” is from the Greek word “tupos” which means a pattern.
Let’s see the earlier text to see what Paul implied
1 Corinthians 10:6-11
We see Paul strongly instructs against following the pattern of sin which existed before time.
We can therefore infer that within the pages of the scriptures, both in the old testament and
new testament the motif of sin and unbelief, and most importantly the overcoming of sin.
Having said this, we would go on to define or shed more light on our topic, The phrase
“Dying to sin” would be well explained in the context of our Anchor text
Romans 6 vs 1- 12.
We can come to conclusion about certain truths , there is who the Believer is as being “Dead
to sin” which is by the finished work of christ and also the believers walk against sin after
salvation,which the writer calls
walking in newness of life(vs 4), not serving sin (vs 5), living unto God ( vs 10), alive
unto God(vs 11), which we figuratively express in our topic as “Dying to sin”.
This therefore disproves the wrong notion (believers) cannot do without sin.
THE PATTERNS OF SIN
The word sin is from the Hebrew word “chattah” which implies to cut short, to be missing,
to be off the mark. It has to do with going off the target. Interestingly the appearance of the
word will first be in Genesis 4 vs 7.
However the first action of sin will be found in the previous chapter.
Genesis 2:16-17. Like we said earlier in our introduction, we would therefore examine the
patterns of sin and also overcoming of sin from the scriptures.
- Cain and Abel : Genesis 4vs 1-4. In Genesis 2:15. Adam and Eve were given the
responsibility to guard and tend God’s Garden. Hence, we can say Abel who was a shepherd
potrays that responsibility, that is, being a servant of God. It was used to explain his Faith in
God’s plan.
The NT writers referred to Abel as a prophet(Mt 23:34-35, Luke 11:47-51) which showed his
faith in God’s Plan( Heb 11 vs 4).
The word “Prophet” implies a spokesman on behalf of another, he was to teach God’s word.
God’s word is his voice.
However we see that cain did not believe God’s word. Hence he was described as “of the
wicked one”.(1 John 3:10-12)
Genesis 4:6-7
God wanted Cain to do what was right, yet he chose to exercise his own will independent of
God’s instructions, which we can call Sin. - Noah and His world : (Gen 6 vs 1- 8)
Genesis 6:8
[8]But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
Let’s pay attention to the Phrase ” but Noah Found Grace in the eyes of the Lord.
The word “Grace” is from word ‘chên’. it is said to be for an unmerited favour. It is used
about 170 times in the scripture. Let’s see the usage by the author. (Gen 19:19, Gen 32:5, Gen
33:8,10,15, Gen 34:11, Gen 39:4, Gen 47:25,29 Gen 50:4 ), hence, from the above references
we can therefore infer that the phrase “Grace in the eyes/sight” would mean to receive
something that is deficient by the recipient. This would help our understanding of the
proceeding verse.
Genesis 6:9
[9]These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his
generations, and Noah walked with God.
Hence , Noah found Grace to walk perfect and just. It would not be by his own efforts
Genesis 6:22
[22]Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.
Genesis 7:1
[1]And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee
have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
Hence we can say that the reason Noah was righteous would be because he believed in God’s
commandments ( Heb 11 vs 7, I pet 3 vs 20, 2 pet 2 vs 5).We can therefore conclude just like
Cain, people in the world of Noah refused God’s commandment, which we can call his Grace,
hence they perished. - Lot and Sodom : Genesis 18 vs 20- 21.
The phrase “because of the cry” is from the word “zaaq” that implies cry of a righteous man,
a cry of distress, or an outcry for help.
The righteous man in this context will be a man who believes God’s promise like Abraham
(Gen 15 vs 6). The cry of the righteous man will be Lot.(Gen 19 vs 1- 6.)
The people of Sodom did not receive him rather they vexed his soul(Genesis 19:14)
Lot passed God’s word to the people of Sodom yet they refused which led to their destruction. - Joseph and Potiphar’s wife : Genesis 39:7-9 KJV
The statement of Joseph makes us see that he believes God’s word just like his father Jacob
(Gen 35 vs 10-12), hence he made a strong decision not to sin against God. - Joshua and Caleb and the Children of Israel :Numbers 14:9-11 KJ
The people of Israel did not believe God’s word about possession of the land which God
promised their father Abraham to give to them and God made them perish due to their
unbelief Only Joshua and Caleb believed and their young ones. (Numbers 14:29-30)
This was the event Paul referenced in His letter to the Corinthians ( 1 cor 10)
Like we said earlier in our introduction, there has always been a pattern of sin, and also men
who were able to overcome sin by believing in God’s Word which is His Grace. This
therefore tells us today that the Believer is able to resist the appearance of evil and even Sin
today. (Romans 5 vs 17, 20, 21)
The GRACE OF GOD
It is important we clarify The “concept” of Grace, hence we get the wrong meaning which
leads to a wrong practice. Some have seen God’s Grace as a concept, theme, force, idea and
hence we have fall into error.
John 1:16-17 KJV
[16] And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. [17] For the law was
given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
In reading this hurriedly, we can come to wrong conclusions as though John was making a
contrast between Moses’ law and Jesus whom he depicts and explains as the Grace of God.
First, the word Grace is from the word “charis” which means a divine gift, or influence upon
the heart and its reflection in life. The word “truth” can be said to be Reality. A key thing to
note is that the use of the word “but” is not in the originals and was imputed by translators
which help us understand that John was not making a contrast, the word “ and” is the word
“kai” and is not always used as a conjunction but can also mean, “that is”, to further explain
what was said earlier. Another thing to understand is the word “came by” which is from the
word “ginomi” which means to be, to become, or to exist as.
In this understanding, we can therefore reexplain John 1 vs 17 as “the law came by Moses,
Grace which is the truth, or the reality, exists as Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, John was showing Jesus Christ as the fulfilment of Moses’ law. Grace
therefore is seen as a Personality, which is Jesus Christ.( Romans 5 vs 15-17)
Our understanding of God’s Grace now is Christ who died on the Cross, rose on the third day
and now dwells in us as The Holy Ghost (John 14 vs 17-18, 20).
The spirit of God in us hence is the empowerment (God’s Grace) we have to walk and
triumph over sin and its desire.
Romans 6:11, 22 KJV
Can the Believer therefore live above Sin? Yes!!!
The New Testament writers show us this repeatedly (Titus 2:11-14, 1 pet 1:13-15, 1 Peter
5:10, Heb 4 vs 14-16, I John 2 vs 1)
However, just like today, the scripture also describes how people react to God’s Grace in a
negative way.
Romans 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under
grace? God forbid.
… a licence to sin.
Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the
law, then Christ is dead in vain.
“Frustrate the grace” here will mean that they see themselves as being self-sufficient without
God’s Grace.
2 Corinthians 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye
receive not the grace of God in vain.
Receiving in vain.
Believers should see God’s Grace as an empowerment
● To sin not( Romans 6 vs 1-2)
● To Give ( 2 cor 9 vs 8, 2 cor 8 vs 1-2)
● strength in weakness( Heb 4 vs 16, 2 cor 12 vs 9).
OVERCOMING SINFUL HABITS
Jeremiah 4 vs 22-23
The writer portrays the state of men in this writing making a reference to (Genesis 1 vs 1-3)
It’s important to note that the the book of Genesis communicates God’s Plan for the earth.
However in the introduction by the writer, he shows us the state of the earth( which Jerimiah
calls humanity), we can infer that the state of humanity before Creation is Disorderliness, in
chaos, however we see something Prominent which the writer showed us that God did.
Genesis 1:2-3
[2]And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the
deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
[3]And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Observe the word “the spirit of God” and “God Said”.
Hence, we can come to conclude that how God will Put order in the earth will be By HIS
SPIRIT AND HIS WORD. Glory to God!.
Jeremiah 31:31-34, Deuteronomy 30:6, Ezekiel 36:25-27
Hence, we can conclude that How God works today in the earth is By HIS SPIRIT. A man
upon believing the Gospel is indwelled by God’s spirit ( John 3 vs 5-7, John 14 vs 20, 1 cor 3
vs 16, Ephesians1 vs 13, 14, 2 cor 1 vs 21-22, Ephesians 4 vs 30)
1 Corinthians 6:19
[19]What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you,
which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
The indwelling of the Spirit therefore begins to reform the character of the Believer as he
walks in the word and in the spirit.
Ephesians 2:10
[10]For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God
hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
The word “walk” is from the word “periparteo”. It means to live or follow. (Col 2: 6, Rm
6:4, Gal 5 :16)
Paul clearly identifies a walk peculiar to the Believer which would be known in his conducts
and actions.
Also, Our knowledge of God’s word is effective in overcoming Sin(Ps 119 vs 9-11) God’
word and his spirit helps the Believer to walk in righteousness.
To therefore overcome sinful habits;
● WATCH YOUR DESIRES:Desires are part of what makws us human, we all want to
Attain success in academics, career, ministry but the truth is as much as we desire an end, the
means we use in achieving them is very important. For example, it’s normal to desire
ACADEMIC excellence but to achieve it through malpractice will be sinful. The Believer
therefore must ensure that he is not drawn away by his own lust.( James 1 vs 13-15)
● GUARD YOUR MIND: We must continously guard our mind by making sure we tailor
what we see and Hear. Not all movies, music , events is permissible for the Believer to feed
their mind on.( Mark 7 vs 20, prov 4 vs 23)
● RENEW YOUR MIND In our daily activities, we get exposed to information that do not
help us in our spiritual growth, hence a renewal of the mind with God’s word is needed to
prevent and cleanse our hearts and mind from all forms of unrighteousness( Ephesians 4 vs
23, Rm 12 vs 2)
● FLEE FROM EVIL: Temptations are very subtle. You must be able to recognise them
early and Run away.(1 Thess 5 vs 22, I cor 6:18)
● KEEP GODLY ASSOCIATION: A good local church helps you see your need for
spiritual growth and a continuous walking in the spirit. Submit yourself to the leadership of a
friends, pastors who helps you triumph over sin.: (Psalms 1:1-3, 2 cor 6:14)
All these would be done effectively through the Reading, studying, Meditating and Doing of
God’s word( To walk in the spirit).
Also, the Believer has authority and Dominion over Sin which can also be exercised in
Prayer. It’s what Paul calls it travailing until Christ be formed in you( Gal 4 vs 19)
The Pauline Prayer clearly helps us see this. (Eph 1 vs 17, Eph 3 vs 14-20, Ephesians 6 vs
12-18, Phil 1 vs 9-12, Col 1 vs 9-11, Col 4 vs 12, 2 Thess 1 vs 11, Phil vs 4-6).
Hence, in overcoming Sinful habits we have a part to play by yielding to God’s spirit, His
word and Prayer.
CONCLUSION
The Believer is of the spirit, hence he/she should live in and by the Spirit. Our walk in the
spirit is a continuous one, mortifying the deeds of the flesh.
Romans 8:12-14
[12]Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
[13]For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the
deeds of the body, ye shall live.
[14]For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God..
The word of God
