Romans 6:1-4

Romans 6:1-4
Romans 5 ends with this thought so beautifully worded in the King James Version:  "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound," and then goes on into chapter 6, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid." Some might think, "If God loves to forgive, why not give Him more to forgive?" It's important to remember that God's grace is perfect, and it can't be exploited for our own selfish ends. Such an attitude shows that a person does not understand the seriousness of sin. God's grace does not minimize sin. Remember that it cost Jesus everything to ensure God's forgiveness for our sins.

As believers we should think of our old sinful lives as dead and buried, v. 2. Just as Jesus died, was buried, and rose again, our baptism symbolizes His death, burial, and resurrection. Going down under the water is a picture of the death and burial of our old way of life. Coming up out of the water symbolizes our resurrection to a new life in Christ. Remember that baptism is just a symbol or picture--not a work that in any way earns salvation. But because of our salvation, we are free to live new lives with Jesus.