Paul said in Romans: “The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Paul said, “Once for all”—FOR ALL.  What does that mean, he died for ALL! Did it mean that Jesus died for the ones we choose? Jesus died for only the ones we deem worthy? Jesus died for only the ones who heeded the altar call? Jesus died for only the ones who uttered a “believer’s prayer?”

What is our measuring stick?  The life of Jesus—that’s not fair—the bar is far too high! 

Paul- the first published author of the New Testament, the first theologian of the Christian scriptures said that ‘Jesus died to sin…once for all,’ which is interesting because we never really think of Paul as a Universalist! Paul also wrote (not too get 2 bogged down in proof texting) that “Nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ.”  Nothing!  Absolutely nothing can separate us from God—not even SIN!  And there are all kinds of sins out there to choose from: we got the Mortal sins, the Venial sins, sins of Omission, Commission, and Disposition.  We got the 7 deadly sins

We got the greatest sin- according to Jesus himself—to blaspheme the Holy Spirit.

We got your garden variety sins.  We got sins that aren’t actually sins, but are probably just bad etiquette.  

Paul brings up the interesting question.  It’s the question that can get us into trouble….If God’s grace covers every sin- then why can’t I just sin and know that it’s okay- God has got it covered, right?  Paul goes on to explain his own personal theology regarding the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. Simply stated: If we have been baptized into the life of Christ, then we should want to live like Christ.

If we die, then we die as Christ had died. And we too, will be resurrected like Christ.

But it can’t be that simple…He understood Jesus’ death as a metaphor…Jesus’ death meant that sin would have no power over us.  Somehow, I am not exactly sure…Jesus’ death became a sacrificial death, even though this wasn’t part of Jesus’ plan.  How could it be?  Human sacrifice is not part of the Christian tradition.  

But the point seems to be that we should die to sin, so that we can live Jesus-like lives.

How can we possibly die to sin?  We’re basically good people.  We do things from time to time that might be considered less than perfect.  We are not always the wonderful people we appear to be on social media.  Sure, there are the 7 deadly sins: avarice, gluttony, lust, sloth, wrath, anger, envy.

We all fall victim to them from time to time.  The bar is set high for us to think that we have died to them. Clearly, sin is very much alive in our lives.  

The great hope in this passage is the understanding that God’s grace is available.   Hopefully, we can experience that Grace in the hearts of others.   Hopefully, in the worst and darkest of times- we can see a light of hope, a sense of the glory of God’s amazing grace.  You are not a number.  You are a beloved child of God! If you haven’t heard me say it yet—I mean you really haven’t had it sink in yet—read it now—read it loud and clear…You are a beloved child of God!  I am paraphrasing Paul, in that passage to the Romans…Jesus died and Jesus lives, so that ALL—that’s right ALL can live!!!

So, whether you believe it, or whether you choose to accept it…God loves YOU, and there’s absolutely, nothing you can do about it.  Amazing Grace—it is Awesome!