Romans 6, 7, and 8 give four steps of the life without condemnation. We must know, reckon, present and walk or live.
We must know.
We must know that Jesus Christ vicariously died on the cross for our sins. We must know that we have been crucified with Him. We must know that our sins, sickness, and punishment were nailed to His cross. We must know that Christ was raised from the dead. We must know that we have been raised with Christ. We must know. The more we know, the greater our victory will be realized.
Once we know we have been crucified with Christ, we must reckon- expect, believe, or suppose it to be true.
We must reckon that what Christ did is effective in our lives, bodies, and personal experiences. Since we reckon this to be true, we expect and receive more from our lives. We expect to live in the victory that overcomes the world. We believe that we have conquered sin and Satan. We live in the assurance of that faith. We reckon that sin and Satan have been defeated in our lives and that we are partakers of Christ’s victory.
We must present ourselves to God.
The word present is found five times in Romans 6. Each of these demonstrate what we should do. The Greek word παριστάνω — paristemi is translated “to present, yield, to place at one’s disposal, to bring and stand near, to bring into fellowship or intimacy, to stand by to help.” Presenting represents purpose or intent. I am present to accomplish God’s purpose and will. Part of the act of presenting ourselves to God is the recognition of what has been accomplished and what we have become in Christ. Since He has redeemed me from destruction, I am free and have been given His standing and righteousness.
Romans 6:13 NKJV And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
This is more than function, we are now children of God and have been made instruments of righteousness.
Romans 6:13 AMP Do not continue offering or yielding your bodily members [and faculties] to sin as instruments (tools) of wickedness. But offer and yield yourselves to God as though you have been raised from the dead to [perpetual] life, and your bodily members [and faculties] to God, presenting them as implements of righteousness.
The message behind “presenting or yielding ourselves” demonstrates who or what is our master. Do not present the parts of your body as instruments, vehicles or faculties to sin. Do not use your hands to steal or your tongue to lie. Do not allow your mind to be filled with evil thoughts. Do not dwell on past failures, but acknowledge and accept what God has accomplished in you through Christ. After a person who has been in prison for years is set free, they often still think and act like a prisoner. I am told that when chicken farmers transported their flocks from one place to another, they would tie their legs together so they could not move. When the chickens are released, they will often continue sitting still. They lost the habit and mannerism of being free. Something had to happen to cause them to realize that they were free.
We must practice presenting ourselves as people who have freedom in Christ.
Romans 6:16 NKJV Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
What does it mean to present yourselves slaves?
The person who “presents themselves to be a slave” has yielded themselves to or made accommodations to either sin or to obey God. If we love sin, we will look for opportunities to fulfill our desire to sin. If we hate sin, we will fight against it. If we love God, we will do everything we can to please God and make Him the Master of our lives.
In the 1300’s there were two brothers in Western Europe. The oldest was the ruler and because he was so large he was given the nickname Crassus, which is Latin for “fat.”The two brothers got into a violent argument, and the younger brother took control of the kingdom. Rather than throwing him into prison he built a room around him in the palace. The room had windows and a door that any one of normal size could walk through. The older brother was informed that he could leave the room and resume his position anytime. The younger brother made sure the cooks continued to feed the older brother all of the rich foods he loved so much. He remained stuck in that room for 10 years until his brother died in battle. When they tore down the wall and he was released, he was so unhealthy that he died that year.
“To whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey.”
Romans 6:19 NKJV I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.
The Holy Spirit is calling us to make ourselves available to God.
We can present ourselves as instruments of righteousness or unrighteousness. We must first know that we have been crucified with Christ and that we have been released from our old life of sin. Then we must reckon ourselves to be dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Then we must present ourselves to God. The act of presenting ourselves to God takes into account what has happened and that we are made worthy to come to God and be used by Him.
In Luke 17, Jesus gave a parable about a servant who presented himself to his master.
Luke 17:7-9 NIV84 Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? Would he not rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do?
The idea behind “presenting ourselves to God” is clearly seen in the servant standing by the door waiting for the Master’s call.
When we are presenting ourselves to God, we are at His disposal, ready to come or go at His call. Notice the attentiveness and availability of the servant waiting for the call of the master. He is listening. He is near. He is standing by. Just this week I was driving down the road and a person came speeding behind us, rushed through the traffic and almost caused three accidents, to rapidly pull into a liquor store. He was making himself available to his master.
Romans 6:13 NKJV And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
We must come to the realization that we are not our own. We have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ and we are His. God requires each of us to regard all of our members, faculties, and talents as His. When He saved your soul from sin’s power, He claimed you as His very own.
The Christian life begins with the realization that God is Savior, Lord, and Owner.
We belong to Him. You have been redeemed. All of your time, talent, and money belong to the Lord. It is not a matter of tithe, everything belongs to Him. It is not a matter of church attendance, all of our life belongs to Him. Your hands belong to Him. Your body belongs to Him. Your mouth belongs to Him. Your mind and thoughts belong to Him.
Romans 6:13 NLT …use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God.
Presenting ourselves to God implies the recognition that we are altogether His. This recognition and presentation is not difficult or hard. It is not burdensome or difficult serving God. There are blessings and benefits that can only be acquired by serving the Lord.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Do you want to receive God’s plan for your life? Are you ready to present yourself to Him? Can you truly say that His will is good and acceptable and perfect to you?
Presenting ourselves to God is a question of the will.
Are you ready and willing to give yourself without reservation to God? If we are going to possess His best, we must be willing to do this. We cannot go into God’s greater blessing and favor until we are willing to allow all areas of our lives to be given to God.
Romans 6:16 NLT Don’t you realize that whatever you choose to obey becomes your master? You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God and receive his approval.
Romans 6:16 AMP Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him whom you obey…
The true servant is available and serves his master. We show we belong to God when we serve Him.
Do you know that Jesus Christ paid a ransom for your soul to redeem you from destruction?
Listen to the Lord’s claim over Jacob and Israel. This claim extends to everyone that has been redeemed by the blood of Christ.
Isaiah 43:1-3 NKJV But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior…
You need to hear the words from the Lord your God, “You are precious in My sight.” “I have loved you.” “Fear not, for I am with you.”
Serving God is not the same as serving any other master.
God loves you so much that He gave His Son to ransom your soul. He redeemed you from eternal fire and judgment by the sacrifice of His Son. God wants us to willingly serve Him, but He will never compel us to serve Him. We must present ourselves to Him.
God is asking for your life.
SinceHe gave His Son to redeem you, God wants an intimate and eternal relationship and fellowship with you. He wants to bring you into His ark of safety and protection. He wants to bring you into His favor, blessing, and glory.
God wants us to give our lives to Him!
Giving yourself to God requires two definite actions. There is the initial act of presenting ourselves to God. Then there is the continual, daily surrender to Him.
