Romans 6:1 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?”

Satan lures us into sin with God’s promises to forgive. We presume upon God’s grace that He will forgive us after the fact. Concluding Romans 5 is Paul’s exultation of the grace that is in Jesus Christ. Since we have an innate ability to reason and rationalize sinful behavior, Paul makes it clear that the grace of God doesn't give permission for us to continue in sin. Romans 6:2 “God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”

Throughout chapter 6 Paul reasons that we have been freed from the power of sin. It is not our master. He then ends the chapter with a warning and a promise.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We often use Romans 6:23 in soul winning to show potential converts the way of salvation. However, this verse is for us also. Sin is detrimental to the Christian life. We destroy ourselves from within and without. We destroy our testimony and relationships with God, family, and others. We may die an early death. James agrees: James 1:15 “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

We must never presume upon the grace of God that we can get away with sin even for a moment. Think of sin as a deadly snake that you don’t want to play with. It can only bring harm and death. God’s grace empowers us to defeat sin. Don't take a bite on the devil's lure. Don't pick up that snake!

Ron Cox – Director of HOPE Ministry