OFFER YOURSELVES TO GOD

Passage: Romans 6:11-14

Key verse: 13b

NIV

11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin(A) but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign(B) in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness,(C) 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.(D) 14 For sin shall no longer be your master,(E) because you are not under the law,(F) but under grace.(G)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

11 So you also must consider yourselves (A)dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

12 Let not (B)sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 (C)Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but (D)present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For (E)sin (F)will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Do not let sin reign (11-12)

Our union with Christ is not a passive relationship. These verses contain a series of commands to be obeyed. This suggests spiritual struggle, because obedience doesn't come naturally. Paul calls the life of faith 'the good fight' (2Ti 4:7). We have mortal bodies; the roots of sin and death are in us. Union with Christ does not mean the battle has ended; it is just beginning. We must consciously affirm the fact that we are dead to sin--especially when our sinful desires push us to deny it. We are alive to God.

2. Instruments of righteousness (13-14)

When we were slaves of sin, we thought we were freely using the parts of our body for ourselves, but actually, we were being used as instruments of wickedness. Now we belong to Jesus. So we must offer our hearts and heads, hands and feet, every part to God for his use. There is a war going on, and there is no neutral territory. Christ set us free so that God might use us. Only when we positively offer ourselves to God for his use can we be free.

Prayer: Lord, use me as an instrument of your righteousness and peace.

One Word: Offer yourselves to God