Alive unto God
One difficulty experienced by many in connection with the Sixth Chapter of Romans has been expressed in the following words: — I do not understand what is meant by reckoning myself unto sin — I have tried to obey the command; but I do not feel that I am dead to sin. do not realise this Let us first clearly understand that the Apostle does not say that the new nature *’ is to reckon the old nature dead. The truth is, in this chapter the Apostle is not discussing the question of the two natures at all. He here regards the believer simply as one. The “old man” in the sixth verse must not be understood as referring to a part of his former self — the flesh. He himself, the believer in his unrenewed state, with no other nature in him but the flesh, was the ‘’«libt unto «otr.” 6 1
“old man.” It is our old self — “our former self, personality before our new birth,” as Dean Alford interprets it. This old or former self was crucified with Christ. They were to recollect this fact — “knowing this” — verse 6. But as Christ was now alive from the dead,’ they were to reckon themselves also as alive unto God in Him. It is in this Christ-life, which is a life unto God, that they are dead unto sin. The eleventh verse does not express a two-fold state (one nature dead unto sin, and the other nature alive unto God), but a spiritual position or sphere (to be maintained by faith), having a twofold relation — unto sin, dead — unto God, alive.
Let us consider what that position is. It is life in Christ — a life out of death. This death was not ovXy for sin as an offence — in which sense Christ died alone — but a death unto sin as a person — in which sense we died with Him.
Sin is in this chapter personified. He has a kingdom (chap. v. 21 verse). He has slaves (vi. 17, 20). He demands obedience (ver. 16).
He seeks to have dominion (12, 14). He asserts His authority over, and seeks to usurp possession of, our mortal bodies (ver. 12). He pays wages to those who serve Him (ver. 23).
When Christ came into the world He encountered Sin as a person. He was daily exposed to sin’s assaults. He continually suffered from sin’s opposition. But though sin continually brought his power against Christ, he never succeeded in exercising lordship over Him. That “Holy One” never yielded to sin’s temptations, never obeyed his demands.
Now it was at the cross Christ died unto sin considered as a person, once and for ever. “In that He died He died unto sin once.”
The cross thus becomes to the believer, who is identified with Christ in His death, the point of separation from sin. He may come to you with all his tempting power, but if you meet him as dead on the cross with Christy he will have no dominion over you.
In relation to sin you must reckon that as ‘’ aiibi unto «olJ.” 63
your condition, but in relation to God you are “Alive in Jesus Christ our Lord.” It is our privilege, nay, it is our duty, thus to reckon ourselves — and by faith to occupy that position.
We may take that position by faith the moment we know Christ as our Saviour. And, whilst there, sin can come to us only as a person — not as a master. It is when we fail to maintain faith’s reckoning (as in verse 11) that sin, which first tempted us, now overcomes us. He is then our master.
To meet sin as a master is to endeavour to make ourselves free. But this is to take a lower ground than that which belongs to us in our Risen Christ. Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ bath made us free.*’ The Apostle assumes that you have taken that position of freedom to start with; which is, to be no longer in the relation of a slave to sin, but to be delivered from his service. When he comes to you, therefore, it is as a person, with the view of course of becoming
again your master. Now the question isp “How are we to meet him?” Reckon yourselves dead unto him.** The moment that you begin to fight with him, that moment you cease to be dead to him — no matter how resolutely you may struggle against him — and the moment you cease to treat him as if you were a corpse, that moment you begin to know him as your master. For it is then that we forsake our true position, which is one of freedom from sin as a master. Let it be remembered we are to fight the good fight oi faith y’ which consists in maintaining a position of freedom - and not in obtaining that position. We are to fight not for it, hvX/rom it. He alone has obtained it. It is God*s free gift. The gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord (ver. 23). Christ first of all places us there. Let us be fully abiding in that life, and Sin, when he comes, will find us dead unto him.
Our great aim then should be to maintain faith’s position, to abide in that sphere, in “aiibe unto ftotr,” 65
which sin does not become to us more than a person who seeks to be a master — and that position is the Christ -life. May we experimentally know more of this. May we more continually view our privileges from this side of truth! “Alive unto God in Jesus Christ our Lord.”
“Buried with Christ,” and raised with Him too; What is there left for me to do? Simply to cease from struggling and strife, Simply to “walk in newness of life.” Glory be to God.
Ryder.