Walking Forward in the New Life Jesus Gives
Your Nightly Prayer
Evening Scripture
Romans 6
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do 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. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Evening Reflection
It doesn’t happen all at once. It isn’t as if we are suddenly changed. Don’t we wish. We know those weaknesses we hate are still there – buried deep. Don’t they surprise us sometimes? Our words or even our thoughts? Temper? Gosh, we wish we hadn’t gossiped. And that grudge we’re holding onto?
Here is the thing – it should be a bit of a relief that Paul had those very same issues. (Romans 7:15-16) Sometimes he just didn’t understand why he felt a certain way or did the things he did. Argghhh! You know you shouldn’t. You know it’s wrong, and God expects more of you…right? Oh, wait, maybe God doesn’t. God knew exactly who and what you were when you were saved – and He still claimed you. He still gave you new life in Him.
The simple fact that you know what is wrong and what is right means you are walking in a new life. It is a new you – and yeah, you’re gonna have to get a bit used to it, aren’t you? You are saved now, and it didn’t have a darned thing to do with anything you did or do – but because of what Christ did for you. And yes, you are special now – not because of what you do or don’t do, but because you belong to Him. And Jesus promised that no one can snatch you from His hands – and that no one will snatch you from His Father’s hands. (John 10:28-29)
The promise we see in Romans 6 is that your old self was crucified with Christ. Sure, parts still hang around for now – but because you have died with Him, you have been freed from sin. You are dead to sin, but alive in Christ Jesus. Sin is no longer your master – regardless of the temptations or even occasional missteps - you are no longer under the law. You have a new life in Christ! You are under His grace!
Evening Prayer
Lord,
I know that without you, I cannot be the person you want me to be. I cannot live the life you want me to live. But I know with the help of your Spirit, I can grow in this new life and become the person I want to be in Christ. Lord, I surrender everything to you. Help me to step aside and let your Spirit teach me and guide me.
Amen.
How did tonight’s scripture speak to you? Share your thoughts in the Your Nightly Scripture forum discussion.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images/Tonktiti
Greg doesn’t pretend to be a pastor, a theologian, or a Bible expert, but offers the perspective of an everyday guy on the same journey as everyone else – in pursuit of truth.
Greg can be reached by email or on Facebook @ Greg Grandchamp - Author.
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One of the greatest misconceptions about Christianity is that it's primarily about learning a set of beliefs or following a list of rules. Biblical truth and obedience to God’s Word absolutely matter, but there’s more to the Christian life than some people realize. The Christian life isn't just about acquiring information and doing the right things. At its core, it’s about entering into a relationship with the living God. That's what makes the words of Jesus in John 17 so fascinating. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow Dwell on These Things on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Tuesday, 28 July 2026.
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