September 10, 2026
YOUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.”
Romans 6:7–11 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Paul continues to build the argument that followers of Jesus should no longer live under the tyranny of sin. In this section, he lays down the foundational theology of sanctification—the process by which God sets us apart and progressively molds us into the image of Christ.
1. Sanctification: Instantaneous Standing, Progressive Growth
When Jesus died on the cross, He died "once to break the power of sin" (v. 10). His victory was complete, final, and eternal.
The moment you place your faith in Jesus, your legal standing before God changes instantly:
Instant Justification: You are declared righteous in God’s sight. Your past sins are washed away by His blood, and God chooses to remember them no more.
Progressive Growth: Yet, everyday experiences brings a common point of confusion. If the old taskmaster of sin was defeated, why do we still face temptation?
Claiming that salvation makes us instantly immune to temptation is a dangerous false teaching. If we live in these earthly bodies, we will experience moments of struggle. Complete perfection will not occur until we stand face-to-face with Almighty God in glory.
While the penalty of sin is removed instantly, the presence of temptation remains something we navigate daily through the power of the Holy Spirit.
2. "Consider Yourselves Dead to Sin"
Because temptation still knocks on the door, Paul gives us a command in verse 11: "Consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus."
The word consider (or reckon) means to calculate, count, or make a conscious mental decision based on facts. It is an act of the mind:
When temptation comes, you must make a deliberate choice to declare: "Sin no longer has legal authority over me. That temptation is not who I am anymore—I am the righteousness of God in Christ."
A Vital Identity Shift:
There is a massive difference between viewing yourself as a "struggling sinner barely getting by" versus viewing yourself as "forgiven, redeemed, and free."
If you view yourself as a helpless victim of your old nature, you will easily yield when temptation strikes. But when you align your mindset with God's Word, recognizing that the old man is dead, sin loses its pull. You stop identifying with the old lifestyle because it no longer fits who you are in Christ.
Daily Progress, Not Perfection
Sanctification means that today, by God's grace, you are walking in greater freedom than you did yesterday. The goal is daily growth—allowing the Holy Spirit to transform your thoughts, words, and choices to reflect the character of Jesus.
Reflection & Application
How do you respond when temptation strikes? Do you immediately remind yourself that you are dead to sin and alive to God, or do you feel helpless to resist?
How do you view your identity? Are you still labeling yourself by past failures, or are you declaring yourself to be forgiven, free, and righteous in Christ?
Are you seeing progressive growth in your walk? Where can you see the Holy Spirit producing greater maturity in your thoughts, speech, and habits compared to last year?
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit, renew my mind today so that I see myself exactly as Your Word declares: dead to the power of sin and vibrantly alive to God through Christ Jesus.
When temptation comes, give me the clarity and courage to immediately declare that sin has no authority over my life. Remind me that I am no longer a slave to old habits, but a forgiven and free child of God.
Keep me growing daily in spiritual maturity. Shape my thoughts, words, and actions so that my life honors my Savior. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”
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