1. As Paul describes the gospel, the emphasis has been that we are saved by grace through faith because Jesus Christ was a propitiation for our sins. This is true so that, even as “sin increased, grace abounded all the more”(5:20). The point is: grace is powerful enough to cover all our sins and reigns through righteousness “leading to eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord” (5:21). That being true, one might draw the conclusion, “Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?” (6:1). In other words, “Let’s really give God a chance to show His grace!” This thought is condemned by using one the strongest of terms possible, which is translated variously as “God forbid!” “May it never be!” “By no means!” or “What a ghastly thought!” The idea of purposefully sinning is totally foreign to the Christian life. The reason: “How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (6:2). The idea of sinning on purpose so that grace can abound is diametrically opposed to the death to sin that is a part of being a Christian.

2. To illustrate why a Christian will not purposely sin, Paul reminds them of four things that happened when they were baptized. First, notice that to get “into Christ” we are “baptized into Christ” (6:3 cf. Galatians 3:27). At baptism we become a part of him! When we are “in Christ” we become eligible for many promises to be fulfilled:

a. “Every ______________ _________________” – Ephesians 1:3

b. “New ___________________” – II Corinthians 5:17

c. “Sons of __________” – Galatians 3:26

d. “Grace” – II Timothy 2:1

e. “Forgiven” – Ephesians 4:32

f. “The promised ______________ _____________” – Ephesians 1:13-14

g. “No __________________________” – Romans 8:1

h. “Salvation” – II Timothy 2:10

i. “Eternal ____________” – I John 5:11

j. “Blessed are the _____________” – Revelation 14:13

3. Second, those who have been baptized “were baptized into his ________________” (6:3). That is, those who were baptized came into contact with the death of Christ (thus the blood he shed) when their baptism took place. This explains how we “have now been justified by his blood” (5:9). It helps us understand statements made by others such as Peter (Acts 2:38, I Peter 3:21) and Ananias (Acts 22:16).

4. Third, just as Jesus was buried in a tomb in his death, we are “____________ therefore with him in baptism” (6:4). This alludes to the how of baptism, that is that the original form of baptism was a burial. The actual meaning of the word is to immerse. So, just as Christ was buried after his death, so are his followers when they are baptized.

5. Fourth, it was not Christ’s intention to remain buried in the earth, and it is not the intention of those who are proper candidates for baptism to remain immersed but rather that “just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in __________________ of ___________” (6:4). This newness of life will have several aspects:

A. We are “united with him in a ________________ like his” (6:5).

B. Just as he was crucified, we are crucified to sin “so that we are no longer __________________ to sin” (6:6).

C. “If we have died with Christ, we believe we will also __________ with him” (6:8).

D. “Death no longer has ___________________” (6:9).

E. “Consider yourselves ___________ to ___________ and ______________ to ___________ in Christ Jesus” (6:11).

6. Since the above is true, the effect on a Christian is:

A. Don’t let sin ______________ in your body (6:12).

B. Don’t present your body to ______________ as instruments for ______________________ but present your body to _____________ as instruments for ________________________ (6:13).

C. The result: “___________ will have no dominion over you” (6:14). This is the final answer to the question in 6:1!

7. Slavery isn’t a choice. We will be slaves. We will either be slaves of _________ or slaves of ______________________ (6:17-18). What you are a slave to depends on obedience. If you obey sin, it will lead you to ______________ (6:16). If you obey “from the heart” the standard of teaching set forth in the gospel, you will be set free from sin and become a slave of _________________________ (6:17-18). There is “fruit” (pay off) involved in either lifestyle:

A. The fruit (benefit) of being a slave to sin = _______________ – (6:21)

B. The fruit (benefit) of serving God = ________________________ and __________________ life – (6:22)

8. The reason that we do not “continue in sin that grace may abound” (6:1) is that “the wages of sin is _____________, but the free gift of God is ____________________ __________ in Christ Jesus our Lord” (6:23).