Romans - Chapter Six Vivification #1

Describing in the previous posts that the nature of Sanctification as described in Romans Chapter Six consists in both mortification and vivification. - We have so far seen mortification described in Romans Six as:

1. Rom 6:2 it is to "Live no longer in Sin."
2. Rom 6:6 it is that "the body of sin must be destroyed."
3. Rom 6:11 it is to "Reckon ourselves to be dead indeed unto sin."
4. Rom 6:12 Sin must not reign in our mortal bodies.
5. Rom 6:13 We must not yield our members as instruments of unrighteousness.

Having considered Mortification and how it has been described in Romans Chapter Six in these five ways; 1. though not without sin yet as a no longer living in sin. 2. The body of sin destroyed being described as not only ceasing from outward acts of sin but actually the habits and inclinations to sin weakened and destroyed. Outward restraint won't do it the very root of sin must be weakened and destroyed. 3. We must THINK of ourselves as DEAD INDEED unto sin, for with death is a great release. Having the bully die is very freeing but being dead ourselves is more freeing yet for then no bully may touch us. 4 .Don't let sin be the KING of your fleshly lusts. Though sin remains IT MUST NOT REIGN. It has been dethroned and we are no longer it's subjects therefore don't obey it in the lusts of the body. Finally, 5. FIGHT don't Yield, but Fight. Don't simply submit your hand, your foot, your eyes, your mind to sin, FIGHT IT, resist, resist with strength. Don't yield your members as instruments unto sin.

Let us now consider the 2nd part of the nature of sanctification which we called VIVIFICATION or LIVING TO GOD or LIVING TO RIGHTEOUSNESS.

1. Rom 6:4 Walk in newness of Life

Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Matthew Henry:
Vivification, or living to righteousness; and what is that? (1.) It is to walk in newness of life, Rom 6:4. Newness of life supposes newness of heart, for out of the heart are the issues of life, and there is not way to make the stream sweet but by making the spring so. Walking, in scripture, is put for the course and tenour of the conversation, which must be new. Walk by new rules, towards new ends, from new principles. Make a new choice of the way. Choose new paths to walk in, new leaders to walk after, new companions to walk with. Old things should pass away, and all things become new. The man is what he was not, does what he did not.

Walking - the whole course of our life - our life is a walk - how we live - in newness.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.