Dead to Sin; Alive to God
A Sermon on Romans 6:11
Originally preached Dec. 12, 1958
Scripture
11Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Sermon Description
Christians are alive unto God in the reign and realm of God. They were dead in sin, but now have been raised together with Christ into an entirely new sphere. But what does it mean to be alive to God? In this sermon on Romans 6:11 titled “Dead to Sin, Alive to God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones teaches about the new relationship the Christian has with God. “The most terrible thing about a life of sin is that you are not open to the blessings of God,” he states. Common graces are not the real blessings of God; they pale in comparison to these spiritual promises. To be alive unto God means to be part of His purpose. Christians are united to Christ because they are now in Him and members of His body. Be encouraged and learn the result of being in God and the importance of the word “never.” The same Spirit that comes upon the Christian was in Christ. God has begun this work in the Christian and He will complete this work. Be dead to sin and alive to Christ. This helps the Christian fight sin through the great assurance and confidence this gospel provides. The joy of the Lord is the Christian’s strength. Rest on the sure and perfect word of God.
Sermon Breakdown
- We are now dealing with Romans 6:11 - Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- We have already dealt with the first half of this verse - reckon ye yourselves also likewise to be dead indeed unto sin. This means we are to consider ourselves dead to the power and penalty of sin.
- The second half of the verse is positive - alive unto God. This is a glorious truth.
- Some commentators only focus on the negative part of the verse and miss the positive. We must consider both parts.
- This verse continues to address the false charge brought up in Romans 6:1 - Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? The first half of the answer is no, we are dead to sin. The second half further shows why this is an absurd suggestion.
- To be alive unto God means we are in a new relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We are no longer under God's wrath but are reconciled to Him.
- We are now open to all the blessings of God. We have access to His grace.
- We are the special objects of God's concern, attention and purpose. His purpose is to make us holy and blameless.
- God's purpose is being worked out in us. We are united to Christ and have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. The Spirit works in us to will and to do God's good pleasure.
- The completion of God's purpose in us is certain. Nothing can stop it. God will perfect us and present us holy and blameless.
- Realizing we are dead to sin and alive to God will change how we view sin and see ourselves. We will not question our salvation when we sin but know we sin as children of God.
- This truth removes our sense of hopelessness in overcoming sin. We know God's power working in us is greater than the power of sin.
- This leads to joy and hope as we realize our position in Christ and God's purpose for us.
- God's purpose cannot be stopped. We are secure in Christ and destined for glory.
- We cannot continue in sin as some suggest. God will discipline us as His children. We belong to Him and He will perfect us.
Sermon Q&A
What Does it Mean to Be "Alive Unto God" According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
What is the meaning of "alive unto God" in Romans 6:11?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, being "alive unto God" means we are in an entirely new realm and sphere - the realm of grace rather than sin. This is not primarily an experiential statement but a positional truth that we must believe by faith. It represents a complete change of sphere, just as Christ is no longer in the realm of sin and death but is now sharing glory with God. We are raised spiritually with Christ from being dead in trespasses and sins into a new realm, under a new power.
How does being "alive unto God" relate to our relationship with God?
Being alive unto God means we are in an entirely new relationship with God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains: "We are reconciled to God. We are now in a position in which we're in God's favor." We have become God's children and objects of His love and special concern. He cites John 17:23 where Jesus prays that "the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them as thou hast loved me," which Lloyd-Jones calls "one of the most staggering statements in the whole of the Bible."
What is God's purpose for believers according to this sermon?
God's purpose for believers is that they should be "holy and without blame before him in love" (Ephesians 1:4). Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that this is God's eternal plan established before the foundation of the world. This purpose completely refutes the false charge that justification by faith leads to antinomianism (continuing in sin that grace may abound). The whole point of salvation is our holiness, not license to sin.
How does God accomplish His purpose in believers?
Lloyd-Jones explains that God accomplishes His purpose through: 1. Uniting us to Christ - "We are in Christ in exactly the same way as we were united to Adam" 2. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit - "The Holy Spirit dwells within us" 3. The Holy Spirit working in us - "It is God that worketh in you both to will and to do" (Philippians 2:13) 4. An ongoing work of divine power - "The exceeding greatness of his power to usward that believe" (Ephesians 1:19)
Is God's purpose of making believers holy certain to be accomplished?
Yes, Dr. Lloyd-Jones affirms the absolute certainty of this purpose being completed. He quotes Philippians 1:6: "He that hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." He also references Ephesians 5:25-27, where Christ's purpose is to "present it to himself, a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing." Lloyd-Jones declares: "God's character would be exposed to the laughter of the devil and of hell if any one of the chosen and the called and the redeemed did not arrive in heaven absolutely perfect and spotless."
How should understanding we are "alive unto God" change our practical Christian life?
Understanding this truth produces several practical effects: 1. We won't question our salvation when we fall into sin 2. We gain a right view of our standing before God regardless of feelings 3. It removes the sense of hopelessness in battling sin 4. It leads to joy and hope - "The joy of the Lord is your strength" 5. It gives assurance that God's purpose will be completed - "Nothing can stop it, nothing at all"
Lloyd-Jones concludes: "If you only keep on holding it before yourself and never forget it, why, it'll make you such that you won't fall as you've been falling. You'll see sin and everything in a new light."
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.