Alive With Jesus, Done With Sin

The old key no longer fits.

Devotional Credit: Immeasurably More, Ray Stedman
Photo Credit: Unsplash

Grace is not a permission slip, it is a new life. Ray Stedman draws out Paul’s sharp question from Romans 6, asking whether grace means we keep on sinning. That question makes sense at first glance, because if forgiveness is full and free, why worry. But Paul’s answer is a thunderclap. We died to sin. In Jesus, something decisive has already happened at the core of who we are.

This is not sinless perfection. It is not a slow climb out of bad habits by grit. It is a once for all change of address, from in Adam to in Christ. United to Jesus, we share His story. We were co-crucified with Him, co-buried, and raised to walk in newness of life. The old regime has lost its claim. Its voice may still bark, but it no longer holds the badge.

Seen through our shared life with Jesus, this is corporate as well as personal. All who belong to Him were included in His death and resurrection. We now participate in a new humanity where the Spirit indwells and empowers. Behavior will grow and mature over time, but the root change is already real. We are no longer who we were.

So Paul’s answer lands with joy and relief. We do not stay in the old patterns because they do not match our new identity. Grace does not make sin safe, grace makes us free. Free to present ourselves to God as those alive from the dead, trusting Jesus within us to express His life through ordinary days.

Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture

Beloved, I am the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus dwelling in you. I bear witness with your spirit that you are God’s child. I remind you that you were united with the Lord, made one spirit with Him. When Jesus died, you were included in His death. When He was raised, you were raised with Him and seated with Him. Sin’s dominion was broken at the cross, and I now write My law upon your heart and mind.

I do not accuse you. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. I teach you to reckon what God has done as true, not pretending, but agreeing with reality. You died to sin, and you live to God. I lead you to present your body to God as an instrument of righteousness, not by strain, but by trust. I work in you to will and to do for His good pleasure. I produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control as you abide.

When the old desires call, remember they do not define you. You are a new creation. Your inner person delights in God’s will. Count yourself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus, then walk with Me. I empower you to put to death the deeds of the body, not by self management, but by My life in you. I am faithful to complete what was begun. Remain in Jesus, and you will bear much fruit.

Scripture references: Romans 6:1-14; Romans 8:1-14; Romans 5:12-21; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 5:16-25; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 6:17; Ephesians 2:4-6; Ephesians 1:3-14; Colossians 2:11-15; Colossians 3:1-4; John 15:1-8; Philippians 2:12-13; Titus 2:11-12; Hebrews 10:14-18; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 3:9; Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:26-27.

Real-Life Analogy

Changing the lock on a front door. Once the cylinder is replaced, the old key cannot turn the new lock. You can still hold the old key in your hand, you can even try it out of habit, but it no longer fits. A new key now matches the new lock. In Jesus, your inner person has been changed at the root. The old key of sin’s claim does not fit who you are, and the Spirit within is the fit for the new life.

Today, when a sharp email lands in your inbox and the old key reaches for a quick jab in return, pause and yield. Whisper, Lord, I rely on You to speak through me with Your kindness in this reply, express Your patience and truth through me right now. Then write as one who is already alive to God, letting Jesus shape tone, timing, and words.

Prayer of Confidence

Lord, thank You that I am united with Jesus, dead to sin, and alive to You. Thank You that the old claim has been broken, and that Your Spirit lives in me. I agree with what You say is true. I present myself to You as one alive from the dead. I rejoice that Your grace trains me to say no to ungodliness and yes to the life of Jesus in ordinary moments. I rest in Your finished work and walk forward with a thankful heart. Amen.