Author: Ben Bourland

6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. Romans 6:6-7

This passage takes the truth of our union with Christ (us in Him and He in us) and presses it deeper into the reality of our daily walk. Paul says our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be brought to nothing. That’s not just poetic—it’s surgical. The old me, the one enslaved to sin, was nailed to the cross with Jesus. That means sin doesn’t own me anymore. It doesn’t get to call the shots. The power it once had has been broken.

Paul doesn’t say we’ll never sin again. He says we’re no longer enslaved to it. That’s a huge distinction. Before Christ, sin was my master—I obeyed it, often without even realizing it. But now, having died with Christ, I’ve been set free. And if I’ve died with Him, I’ll also live with Him. That’s not just future resurrection—it’s present participation. I live with Him now. His life is in me.

In biblical counseling, Romans 6:6–8 is foundational when helping someone wrestle with life-dominating sin. The counselor doesn’t just offer behavior modification—they point to identity transformation. This passage reminds the counselee that if they are in Christ, their old self has been crucified. They are no longer enslaved to sin, even if it feels powerful. That truth becomes the anchor: sin is no longer their master. The counselor helps them see that sanctification is not about trying harder, but about walking in the reality of their union with Christ—dead to sin, alive to God. The goal isn’t just to stop sinning, but to live as someone truly free.

APPLICATION

So today, when I feel pulled toward old patterns, I remind myself: that’s not who I am. That man died. I’m not a slave anymore. I belong to Jesus. And the more I walk with Him, the more I see the fruit of that freedom—peace where there used to be anxiety, patience where there used to be reaction, love where there used to be selfishness. I’m not perfect, but I’m progressing. And that progression is proof that grace isn’t just a covering—it’s a power. A power that raised me from death and keeps raising me, day by day.

1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:1-4

If grace abounds where sin increases, then the natural question is—should I just keep sinning so grace keeps flowing? Paul doesn’t hesitate. By no means. That’s not just a moral objection, it’s a theological one. If I’ve truly died to sin, how could I still live in it? That’s not who I am anymore.

Romans 5 showed me that grace reigns, not sin. Romans 6 takes it further—it says I’ve been united with Christ in His death. Baptism isn’t just a symbol, it’s a declaration that my old self was buried. And just like Christ was raised, I’ve been raised to walk in newness of life. That’s not poetic language—it’s a spiritual reality.

This passage tells me that grace doesn’t just forgive me, it transforms me. I’m not just avoiding punishment; I’m living a new kind of life. The power that raised Jesus is the same power that enables me to walk differently. I’m not dragging my old self around—I’ve left him in the grave.

APPLICATION

So today, when I feel tempted or discouraged, I remind myself—I’ve died to that. I don’t belong to sin anymore. I belong to Christ. And the more I walk with Him, the more I hate what separates me from Him. That hatred of sin isn’t bitterness—it’s love. Love for the One who gave me new life. And every time I choose righteousness, I’m not just obeying—I’m walking in resurrection.

Once again, one of my favorite verses tells this in one fail swoop – “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:20-21

This passage is one of those passages that flips the way I think about sin and grace. Paul says the law came in so that the trespass might increase—not because God wanted more sin, but because the law exposes it. Like turning on a light in a messy room. Once the law is known, sin becomes clearer, more obvious, and in some ways, more accountable.

But then Paul says something wild: where sin increased, grace abounded all the more. That’s not just a balancing act—it’s an overflow. Grace doesn’t just meet sin at the line; it floods past it. It’s like sin builds a dam, and grace breaks it wide open.

Then he says that just as sin reigned in death, grace reigns through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus. So sin had a kingdom—it ruled, and its throne was death. But grace has a kingdom too, and it rules through righteousness, not just to make us better people, but to bring us into eternal life IN and THROUGH Jesus.

For me, this means I don’t have to be afraid of the depth of my sin. The more I see it, the more I can marvel at the grace that covers it. It also means I don’t have to live under the rule of sin anymore. Grace is the new authority. And it’s not passive—it reigns. That gives me hope, especially when I feel stuck or discouraged. Grace isn’t just a soft cushion—it’s a powerful force that leads me somewhere eternal.

APPLICATION

I see a picture of grace that doesn’t just cover sin—it overwhelms it. That truth shapes how I view my own sanctification. I’m not who I used to be. I used to be under the reign of sin, ruled by its impulses and blind to its cost. But now, grace reigns in me. And that reign isn’t passive—it’s active, transforming me day by day.

I can see the progression. The things I used to justify or ignore now grieve me. Not because I’m trying to be perfect, but because I’m getting closer to Jesus. And the closer I get, the more clearly I see how ugly sin really is. My hatred of sin isn’t just moral—it’s relational. Sin separates me from the One I love. So I fight it, not out of fear, but out of love.

The fruit shows up in how I respond to temptation, how I treat others, how I repent more quickly and forgive more freely. I’m not a slave anymore. I still stumble, but I don’t stay down. Grace lifts me, teaches me, and keeps me moving forward. That’s the evidence—that I’m not just avoiding sin, I’m being reshaped by righteousness. And that righteousness isn’t mine—it’s Christ’s, reigning in me.

16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. Romans 5:16

This verse presents a theological contrast between the consequences of Adam’s sin and the gift of grace through our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul explains that the judgment resulting from one man’s sin—Adam—led to condemnation. In contrast, the free gift that comes after many trespasses leads to justification. This highlights several theological themes.

First, it points out the contrast between Adam and Christ. Adam’s single act of disobedience brought condemnation to humanity, while Christ’s act of sacrifice brings justification even after so many sins. This sets up a situation where Adam represents the fall and Christ represents redemption.

Second, it contrasts judgment and gift. Judgment is the rightful consequence of our sin, showing God’s justice. The gift, however, is undeserved and shows God’s mercy. God’s grace is not a reversal of judgment but a crediting of it to Jesus, Who paid for it.

Third, the verse contrasts condemnation and justification. Condemnation is a legal declaration of guilt, while justification is a legal declaration of righteousness. Through Christ, we believers are not just forgiven—we are declared righteous.

Fourth, it shows the scope of grace. Adam’s sin affected all people, but Christ’s gift is available to all who receive it by faith. Grace is not limited by the number or severity of sins; it is abundant and sufficient.

Spiritually, this verse teaches that while sin has real consequences, God’s grace is greater. It invites believers to trust in the sufficiency of Christ’s righteousness and marvel at the depth of divine mercy.

APPLICATION

I can apply this verse to my life by remembering that grace is not something I earn—it’s a gift that covers even my repeated failures. When I mess up, I don’t have to live under the weight of condemnation. Instead, I can turn to Christ, knowing that His gift of justification is stronger than my sin. That frees me to live with hope and humility.

It also reminds me to extend grace to others. If God’s gift can cover many trespasses, then I shouldn’t be stingy with forgiveness or quick to judge. I want to reflect that same mercy in how I lead, mentor, and parent—offering restoration instead of punishment when someone falls short.

Finally, this verse helps me stay grounded in gratitude. I didn’t earn this standing with God, and I can’t lose it by failing. That truth gives me courage to keep going, even when I feel inadequate. I’m not defined by my worst moment—I’m defined by Christ’s gift

15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that One Man Jesus Christ abounded for many. Romans 5:15

In these next 3 verses, I will cover in as many days, are 3 amazing truths that Paul shares with us. The first is the Grace of God that has come to so many after the trespass of one man, Adam for that which died. So, the gift is not like the sin Adam committed. It is so much more because of Who the grace is offered through. By the sin Adam committed, we are born into sin because of the nature of sin that was passed down to us by birth. BUT, Jesus, Who committed no sin, willingly gave Himself as the ultimate sacrifice to bring about the grace through God to all who trust in His Son Jesus.

So, the gift of Jesus is so much more than the sin that sunk us. We just need to accept it in a surrendering way. Trusting in Jesus means that He becomes the Lord of our life. There is no sharing of our heart when it comes to Him. He is either has it all or He hasn’t been given it, at all.

APPLICATION

Do I live every facet of my life surrendered to Him? He has my heart but this carcass, world I live in, and the great deceiver have not left…surrender to God is a second-by-second choice. That choice, however; is reinforced with an acknowledgement of what He has done and the gift I have received through that work. It is not only a commitment I made, it is a moment-by-moment recognition in gratefulness of the hope in eternity I have because of King Jesus.

9 Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. Romans 4:9-12

This is such an awesome point that Paul is making here in Romans 4 and can be applied to our own lives today. I can call myself a Christian and even have the title of elder or even Follower of Jesus…but that does not make me righteous.

Abraham was declared righteous by faith before he was circumcised. This means his right standing with God wasn’t based on a physical act or religious identity. Circumcision was a sign, a seal of the righteousness he already had by faith. Therefore, Abraham is the spiritual father of:

• The uncircumcised who believe (Gentiles),
• And the circumcised who not only bear the sign but who also follow Abraham’s example of faith – faith in the Lord Jesus now that the He as the Messiah, has come to bear sin.

Faith, not ritual, title, or heritage, is the basis for being made right with God. This opens the door for everyone—Jew and Gentile alike—to be part of God’s family through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

APPLICATION

I need to be careful of the Pharisaical propensities that I might have as a serving follower of Jesus. I must preach the gospel to myself every morning and live a life that is not my own. I have been purchased at the highest price. I still live in this earthly carcass that is bent on responding to the world’s pleasures and enticement of sin. I am reminded of Hebrews 12:1&2a. “Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud witnesses, let us through off everything that hinders, the sin that so easily entangles…let us run with perseverance, the race that has been set before us, looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” This is one of my memorized passages of scripture and one that is so wonderful to pray through to remind myself Who matters.

5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” Romans 4:5-8

Just as a someone has their monetary debts covered by a gift of mercy, Jesus bore our sin, and the Father does not count them against us! How crazy is that?!?

When Jesus secured our freedom from sin, God forgave our lawless deeds. God’s plan for us is so perfect. When we accept the truth of Jesus and His blood poured out for us, our sin is covered. We still did them, the old man in us did live, and our new man remembers what we have been saved from. It is this heart condition that David is talking about above from Psalm 31:1&2. This passage continues with “I acknowledged my sin to You, and I did not cover my iniquity!” I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.

David was a man after God’s own heart yet as we know, David was no saint. He committed some of the most heinous sins, yet in his grief and shame, he humbled himself before the LORD of Hosts and cast all his sin at the foot of God. His faith produced a bestowing of righteousness and the moniker of a “man after God’s own heart”. David’s story, from his earliest years, was a man who knew God was real, saw the hand of God so deliberately in his own life, yet also fell in so many yucky ways. In the end it was his brokenness and contrite heart before the Lord that captured God’s favor on him.

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
    You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

Psalm 51:17 (NLT)

APPLICATION

Psalm 51:17 is such a beautiful capture of the type of heart God is looking for. He is not looking for the righteous pious servant, no, God is looking for a broken and contrite heart that stands before a mighty and holy God. A heart that recognizes the depravity it contains relative to pure and just God. This must be my state in all that I do – whether that is at work or serving as an elder at church. He is everything, I am nothing…if anything good comes from His life in me, it is only Him Who deserves all the glory. In short, my life IS HIS. It is He Who lives in me.