July 14, 2026

Today's Reading: Romans 6:(1-2) 3-11

Daily Lectionary: Judges 14:1-20; Galatians 3:1-22

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:1–2)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

St. Paul is responding to a general vibe of “Well, if all sin is forgiven, then I can do whatever I want.” His “by no means” is a polite way of saying, “That’s not how this works. That’s not how ANY of this works!” What does it mean, then, when he says, “How can we who died to sin still live in it?” He’s talking about Baptism, where the old sinful self is drowned, and the new Adam is raised to life. We have been united to Jesus in a death like His that we might have a resurrection like His. Paul’s point is that once a person comes to faith, everything is different. They do not act the same way or think the same way because the Holy Spirit is now working sanctification in them. What he means is this: Christians should act a certain way because Christians look a certain way - they follow a pattern. This pattern is coming from and returning to the gifts of Christ, freely given to sinners. Christians should not live in open sin - nor should they encourage others to do so. We are not competing to see who can be forgiven by God the most amount of times. That won’t end well, and it’s not a true representation of God’s people.

We do know that even while the Baptized are sanctified saints of God, we are still sinners, and we will be in need of Jesus’ forgiveness until we die. But don’t go out trying to be the chief of sinners. Live as one dead to sin and alive to Christ. Live the baptismal grace of God, that all your doings, being ordered by His governance, may be righteous in His sight. You have been made new. The sin and brokenness inherent in you have been paid for by the death and resurrection of Christ. Rejoice, dear Christian, for, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

“Christ Jesus is the ground of faith, Who was made flesh and suffered death; all then who trust in Him alone are built on this chief cornerstone.” (LSB 571:2)

Deac. Emma Heinz, registrar for Higher Things.