Romans 6: Growing Beyond Justification

Romans 6: Growing Beyond Justification

Justification through faith, as described in Romans 5:1, is not the end of the Christian life. Instead, justification marks the starting line of a transformative journey of faith. It is the open door to a lifelong process of spiritual growth and maturity. What follows justification is essential for believers: the renewal of the mind and ultimately the transformation of one’s heart.

Romans 6 introduces us to the next critical step in this journey—introspection. It calls believers to turn inward and address the dominion of sin that remains a force in our mortal bodies. Without engaging with this inward transformation, many believers remain spiritual babes, as Paul lamented regarding the Corinthians, 1Cor.3:1-2. But with intentionality, we can progress towards the maturity God desires for us. Romans 6 equips us for this step, guiding us to understand what it means to be dead to sin and alive to God. This renewal is foundational for every believer who seeks to grow into the fullness of their faith and Paul’s doctrine.

Let us now explore the powerful truths of Romans 6, particularly focusing on the crux of the matter found in Romans 6:16, which reveals the vital process of yielding, obedience, and the fruits of righteousness.

What Romans 6 Teaches Us: Dead to Sin and Alive to God

Romans 6 addresses a profound truth: through Christ, our relationship with sin has fundamentally changed. We are no longer slaves to sin, but we are invited to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). However, this does not happen automatically; it requires a mindset shift and an active faith.

What does it mean to be dead to sin? To be dead to sin means that sin no longer has dominion over us. While its presence remains in this world and in our mortal bodies, its power to enslave us has been broken. Paul makes this clear in Romans 6:6-7: “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.” This freedom is not a removal of temptation but a deliverance from bondage.

Yet, many believers wrestle with this question: If I am dead to sin, why do I still struggle with it? This is where faith and the renewal of the mind come into play. Paul instructs us to “reckon” ourselves dead to sin and alive to God (Romans 6:11). This reckoning is an act of faith—choosing to believe what God declares about us, even when our physical experiences do not align perfectly with that truth. It is about aligning our mindset with God's Word.

The Crux of the Matter: Romans 6:16 and Yielding to Righteousness

Romans 6:16 encapsulates the process of transformation: “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”

Here, Paul unveils the practical steps to becoming dead to sin:

• Yield to God’s Word: Transformation begins when we submit ourselves to the authority of God’s Word. This is an act of surrender—a choice to allow His truth to work within us.
• Obedience to the Word: As we yield, the Word begins to shape our actions and decisions. This is not a forced obedience but a willing response to God’s grace.
• The Fruits of Righteousness: Obedience produces godly fruits, evidence of righteousness working in us. These fruits signify that God is transforming our hearts and minds.
• Becoming Dead to Sin: This process leads to an increasing detachment from sin, not by our own effort, but by the work of the God’s Spirit, the living word inside us, as we yield to His leading.

Thus, being dead to sin is not achieved through human willpower, one’s own discipline, or mental ascent, but through simply yielding to the knowledge of God’s word within you and to obedience of it. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture—reading it, meditating on it, gaining understanding, and applying its truths—God works within us. Philippians 2:13 reminds us, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

Transformation is not our work; it is God’s work within us. The Word of God is alive and powerful, and as we yield to it, it renews our minds (Romans 12:2) and transforms us from the inside out. Over time, this divine work manifests outwardly in our lives. Obedience and righteousness flow naturally, not from striving but from abiding in God’s truth.

As we meditate on the truths of Romans 1 to 6, which is all we know and need at this point in our curriculum, and yield to the principles we have be instructed to, we will notice changes—not because of our own might but because the Spirit within us produces transformation. The more we align our thoughts and actions with God’s words, the more sin loses its grip, and godly righteousness emerges.

Encouragement and What’s Next

As we conclude this part of the journey, remember that Romans 6 is a vital step toward spiritual maturity. It equips us to grow beyond spiritual infancy and into the fullness of God’s purpose. Take this teaching to heart, reflect on it, and yield to the Word working within you. Trust that God is faithful to complete the work He began in you (Philippians 1:6).

The next step in this journey builds upon these truths. Romans 7 focuses on being delivered from the law and embracing the freedom that comes through Christ. This revelation is integral to understanding how we serve God in the newness of the Spirit. Stay engaged and prepare your heart for the truths to come.