In this fallen world, while sin remains in us with a lot of strength, it no longer controls our personalities and lives. That person who could do nothing other than sin has died, and “has been freed from sin.” So while we still have bodies which sin, in Christ, there is a completely new “me”, new motivation, new Master. In him, I live.
When the old “you” was crucified with Christ, what was the end result (v.6)?
"Dear Lord, remind me daily of my freedom and the new identity in Christ. Thank you that I am no longer a slave to sin, it no longer can have power over me! Grant me strength to keep walking in freedom and victory, and to trust in your power to overcome the temptations and struggles I face. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen."
We have “died to sin” (v 2); so why does Paul tell us to “count yourselves dead to sin” (v 11)? Because being dead to sin is like a privilege, or legal right. We have to act on this privilege, and live in light of this truth. Otherwise, we are like someone with financial difficulties who inherits a huge trust fund, but doesn’t withdraw any money from it. It is only as we live as people who are dead to sin and alive to God that we will experience a life free from the power of sin.
Because Jesus dealt with sin and lives for God, how should we now respond (v.11)?
"Dear God, thank you that not only am I dead to sin, but alive to You through Christ! Help me remember daily that I am a new creation in Christ. Give me strength to use my body and my life as an instrument to serve your purposes, for your glory. Amen."
No one is free. Everyone is a slave to something or someone! What we serve becomes our master; it controls our actions and attitudes. And Paul says there are fundamentally only two kinds of masters: God (obedience and righteousness) or sin. Whenever we choose not to obey God, we are not choosing to be free; we are choosing to be slaves to sin, rather than our Savior.