Romans 6:11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

To count myself dead to sin, what does it mean? To count something here needs to be clarified. ‘Logizomai’ is the Greek word used here for the English translation ‘to count.’

This word deals with reality. If I “logizomai” or reckon that my bank book has $25 in it, it has $25 in it. Otherwise I am deceiving myself. This word refers to facts not suppositions. (biblestudytools.com)

So to count myself dead to sin is to reckon/conclude/deduce/maintain that I am dead to sin. Do I not sin? I do. Do I not feel the influence of sin in my life? I do. Then how dare do I say I am dead to sin?

Here is the answer. Because the word of God tells me so. I may sin, I may fall, but what I know is I am alive in Christ Jesus and my old self was crucified with Christ. That’s the fact. The Devil may accuse me daily saying that I’m not saved because I sinned. Or the Devil says I am still in the Kingdom of darkness and sin; that I am still in Adam.

But what can I say in response to that? That’s ‘Satan.’ That’s how he is. He lies. Doesn’t Satan rightly means the accuser? The one who always accuse like he did among angles in the heavenly court against Job?

The word of God tells us the truth. No matter how hard it may be to believe, I died to sin. I am dead to sin. And that’s not something I must force myself to believe. Rather, it is something I accept simply by faith. Because it is true. When Abraham was 99 years old, God told him he will have a child. Abraham didn’t force himself to believe that. He accepted and counted (Logizomai) it as true. It was as good as done. It was to him already something that has happened.

Romans 4:3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

In Christ, I am a new creature. Yes, I do sin. But that’s not me. That’s sin living in me. Do I take pride in my sin? No. I agree with Paul.

Romans 6:1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?

v. By no means!

But I must not live thinking I am a sinner who is beyond hope to be saved. I must not dwell in my past sins. I don’t consider myself a damned sinner no matter how deep the sin may have been. No. Christ died for my sin. Christ died to sin and I am in Christ, risen newly in glory, power and under grace. That’s who I am. Who am I to deny the word of God?

This truth doesn’t give me the license to sin more or sin freely. But realizing my position, who I am in Christ, brings true foundation to change and live the life of holiness.

What was it that brought Simba in the movie ‘Lion King’ to start living like a king and a lion? It is when he realized who he really is. That’s the turning point of his life. So it is with us.

How can we live like Jesus? We must know the fact. Who we really are. We are in Christ. We are dead to sin. We are alive to God in Christ Jesus. When? Today. And now. Despite how dark my sins, grace is more. Grace wins. And that’s who I am. A child of God.

Or according to the words of Mufasa, Simba’s father, speaking from the clouds: “Remember Who You Are”

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus

Father God, we are your blessed children. Not by our own merit, but by your grace. Nothing changes that fact. Once in Christ, we are in Christ forever. You who began the good work in us will surely finish it until the day of Jesus Christ. Knowing who I am, Father God, let that be the motivation for me to start living that very life as your child, in the likeness of the firstborn son Jesus Christ and in his name I pray!