Romans 6 Commentary
For all purposes, baptism is a cleansing ritual. To be totally immersed in water is to be totally cleansed. It symbolizes holiness. Chapter 6 engages a deeper gear. Baptism is both a burial and resurrection operation. The old life is left behind. You emerge with a new life. You die with Christ Jesus and are raised with Christ Jesus.
See how the author says “Christ Jesus” or simply Christ to refer to Jesus, instead of “Jesus Christ” or simply Jesus. Christ is the Greek version of the Hebrew word Messiah. They both point to an important saving function of God’s Son.
The Messiah doesn’t save individuals like a fireman. We shouldn’t lose two lives; the safety of the operation tops the list. But the Messiah jumps into the fire and joins you in death to rise up together in a new life! You are no longer alone. It is a new life!
In this example, you want all the pathogens that trouble the body to die – sin. The person emerges fresh and in great shape, without sin but with the Messiah for company or as part of the newly designed man. You simply cannot live for yourself. Born-again individuals know what trouble it is to live without holiness. It is the Messiah in you yearning for it!
If you are not born-again, you know what trouble it is to live without sin!
Sin is not merely a breach or the breaching of a law. Sin is an active power that rules in the world of darkness.
Sin must no longer rule in your mortal bodies, so you obey your natural self’s desires. Verse 12. Accordingly, it is shocking to justify sin because it satisfies a natural desire. The scripture isn’t kind on LGBTQX! “Nor must you surrender any part of your body to sin…” This would include your thoughts, feelings, actions, words, attitudes…
Instead, you are a slave of righteousness. Verse 18.
What is there for the believer in all of this? Starvation? No. The believer gains a life fully dedicated to God and the result is eternal life. The word “fully” is heavy. It’s worth pondering. A trip back to Genesis where man was created in the image of God…that’s the whole point! A grand finale!
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