Romans 6:6 – “6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be [a]done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.”
The emphasis the apostle Paul makes here is that there has been a radical change in the believer’s relationship to sin. It is true that the believer still sins, but he is no longer a slave to sin. Sin no longer reigns as in the condition of the old man, the unregenerate person. That although sin still remains in the believer’s mind, affections, and will. Slavery to sin is broken.
Paul is describing the whole man and the change in our relationship. We have a new position. The contrast Paul is bringing out in these passages is not a change in our nature, but a change in relationship. Our old man is the old unregenerate self. The new person is the new regenerate self. Because of this spiritual regeneration brought about by the Holy Spirit in our hearts, we are new creatures in Christ.
As a result we have a new relationship with Christ and a new position before God the Father. It is the believer’s responsibility to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in obeying the Word of God and overcoming temptation. The true believer knows he needs Christ every day. He knows he must guard and keep his heart every day until he sees Christ is in glory. When he sins he flees to Christ, His advocate. As much as the believer is perfect in position; he is not yet perfect in praxis.
It’s a brand new day! Keep enjoying Kharis!
Pastor Josh Laryea