The word resurrection often stirs thoughts of our Lord and the empty tomb. However, Paul also saw it as the way to a new life.
The new life begins with death to sin. Some apparently argued justification by faith made law useless, so everyone should sin so God could abundantly provide grace (Romans 6:1). Paul states that Christians died to sin (Romans 6:2; Galatians 2:20). A man dead to sin is buried with Christ and raised to walk in newness of life in baptism (Romans 6:3-4). He is freed from slavery to sin (Romans 6:5-7).
The apostle also says the man is raised to live with Christ (Romans 6:8-10). Death briefly had dominion over Jesus because of his desire to take the consequences of man’s sin. His resurrection brought an end to that dominion. Christians should be dead to sin and live for God (Romans 6:11-14). We are not under a law which condemns for sin, but under grace which frees from sin.
Everyone is a slave to what he does (Romans 6:15-16; John 8:34). Christians have changed masters, from sin to righteousness (Romans 6:17-18). We should now live righteously and produce holiness (Romans 6:19).
All slaves will receive an eternal reward. Slaves of sin owe no service to righteousness. They receive death as their eternal reward (Romans 6:20-21). Slaves of God owe no service to sin. They produce the fruit of holiness. They will receive the reward of eternal life in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:22-23).
The good news is that God wants all men to be saved (1 Timothy 2:5). Those wishing to be raised to a new life simply need to follow the plan Paul outlined in Romans 6.
Gary Hampton