Romans 6 serves as our spiritual declaration of freedom, much like the message that arrived in Galveston on June 19th, 1865. This passage confronts a critical question that many of us wrestle with: if we're saved by grace through faith alone, does that mean we can continue living however we want? The answer is a resounding no. We've been united with Christ in His death and resurrection, which means we're called to walk in newness of life, not return to our old patterns. The passage challenges us to meditate on three transformative realities: our unity with Christ, our new identity in Him, and our secured eternity. But knowledge alone isn't enough. We must actively wage war against sin through what's called mortification, refusing to let sin reign over us and cutting off the routes it uses to access our hearts. The positive side of sanctification is understanding that we've been emancipated from spiritual slavery. Like an elephant tied to a small stake, many of us live bound by lies that no longer have power over us. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in us, yet we often live as if we're still powerless. This message calls us to break free from the chains of deception and walk in the freedom that has already been won for us.
