SUBJ: The effect of the work of Christ in us in both fact and experience made sure by the life of Christ in us and the promise of glory forever.

AIM: That we might anchor our minds with these thoughts and engage, by the grace of God, in the struggle against sin and seek the enjoyments of fellowship with Him (and each other) now and joy’s eternal increase now and ever more.

INTR: Paul began this chapter with strong words against any form of toleration for sin and thus proceeded to show that the effect of a gracious work of salvation produces resurrection life which is experienced by the believer and observed by the world.
1. As the manner of the Apostle is, he never stops driving the nail until it is fully seated and so, he would provide yet another layer to his declarations.
2. It is sad that many pay lip-service to the Gospel and give mental assent to the idea of being a Christian but are so weak in scriptural knowledge as to be incapable of comprehending what Christ has done and what He expects.
3. Paul, here again, calls forth powerful logic, inspired of the Holy Spirit and palatable to all who are indeed alive unto God through Christ our Lord.

THESIS: Having established that we have an identity with Christ, it is essential that we, by faith, rest in the accomplishments of Christ as live in response to that for which He died to obtain. We are in fact and experience alive unto God.

I. An important declaration (vv. 8-9)
1. The use of the word “if” in this case is not an expression of doubt; it is rather a declaration of truth leading to a further truth.
1) If we are dead with Christ – full identity addressed in the preceding verses
2) We believe (faith) claims life with Him and the emphasis must be on with Him.
2. This confidence does not arise from any action or merit on our part, but looks to things declared and witnessed, namely;
1) We know in fact, recorded for us in the pages of this we believe to be the Word of God (See 1 Corinthians 15:1ff), that He rose from the dead.
2) It is likewise essential that we know that He will die no more: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Revelation 1:18.
3) A simple deduction leads us to know that He was dead but no more
4) By virtue of the dignity of His person: God manifest in the flesh, and efficacy of the offering made, death no longer has the ability to touch Him, let alone to dominate Him.
3. Life is assured in that death is vanquished and it is life with Him! See: For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. 2 Corinthians 13:4

II. An important realization (vv. 10-11)
1. The Old Testament record is one of repeated sacrifices and rituals designed to point to Christ but ineffective as to taking away sin.
1) From these it was evident that a sacrifice must be made and
2) That the promise of a Messiah was both depicted and declared.
2. Only of Christ could it be said that such is the sufficiency of His work that it need not and would not be repeated.
1) Consider: For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Hebrews 9:26-28
2) And: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. Hebrews 10:12-13
3. The reference to reckoning is strong here in that it is more than “I suppose it is so.” It is rather that we are to think thus of ourselves in the same manner that we think it of Christ.
1) It is twofold reckoning – the one coexisting with the other
2) We are dead to sin’s consequences (you can’t kill me twice and I died in Christ). The sin-debt is settled, and cannot more be an issue legally and
3) We think and live and experience life never apart from, but in such identity with God in and through Christ that we cannot think of ourselves apart from it.

III. An important exhortation (vv. 12-14)
1. Sin and the sin nature have been disenfranchised (put out of office) and therefore have neither right nor leverage to rule in the life of true believers. This point will be further emphasized later in the chapter.
1) Certainly, sin appears in the lives of believers and that more than we desire (the old man).
2) But, for whatever reason, give way to that which has no right but would continue.
2. Specifically, we are to endeavor in every way (through the exercise of spiritual ability and privilege through the Word of God and prayer) resist yielding our faculties, both physical and mental to unrighteousness: 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:1-2.
3. Rather to be yielded unto God as those who are alive unto God.
4. And emphatic declaration is “Sin shall not have dominion over you!”
1) Not under law – that is outward compulsion, or the condemnation, or the consequences; and that wherein many think themselves to live by keeping it and are sadly deceived.
2) Under grace – which reigns in the life of the believer with every provision of revelation, blessedness, and ability: For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13.
3) Grace, unfathomable grace is the ruling principle of the soul through Christ our Lord.
i. By grace we are saved
ii. Grace reigns over abundant sins
iii. We come boldly to a throne of Grace.