The War Within: Reckoning the Flesh Dead to Claim Victory in Christ
Romans 6:17-18
"But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness."
In the heart of Paul’s letter to the Romans, we find a profound declaration of transformation. Here in chapter 6, Paul addresses a critical question for every believer: What does it mean to live under grace?
When you casually say to someone, "I'm a good Catholic", or "I'm Christian", what does that mean?
Consider the imagery Paul uses: slavery. It’s not a light metaphor. Are you a "good slave"? In the context of the ancient world Paul was living in, slaves had no autonomy; their lives were dictated by their masters. As a "Christian", is God your master, dictating everything about your life?
Paul is telling us we’ve been transferred from one master to another, not through our own efforts, but by God’s grace. The "standard of teaching" refers to the gospel truth we’ve supposedly embraced, the doctrine of salvation that is meant to reshape our very core. What stands out is the phrase "obedient from the heart." This isn’t mere external compliance, like following rules out of fear. It’s a deep, internal shift, a heartfelt response of love to God’s love. We’ve committed ourselves to this teaching, and in doing so, we’ve been set free from sin’s tyranny. Yet freedom here doesn’t mean a license to do whatever we please. Instead, we’ve become "slaves of righteousness," willingly serving a new master who leads us toward life, holiness, and purpose.
So when you say, "I'm a good _____________[fill in the blank], do you mean to say that you've become or are becoming a slave of righteousness?
As Christians, our greatest challenge is our flesh. It never stops warring against our spirits. It’s battling for control of our minds. The battle ends in death. But for now, while we live, we struggle with the flesh for supremacy. So we must reckon it as righteousness, we must decide to put that flesh to death.
In Romans 6:11-12, Paul urges believers to actively "consider" or "reckon" themselves dead to sin, a term borrowed from accounting, meaning to count it as a settled fact in your ledger, based on Christ’s work on the cross.  This isn’t about pretending sin doesn’t exist but recognizing our new identity: dead to sin’s dominion and alive to God in Christ Jesus. We’re no longer slaves to sin’s commands; instead, we’re empowered to resist letting it reign in our bodies by obeying its passions.  This reckoning flows from our union with Christ. His death becomes ours, freeing us from sin’s tyranny, though we still contend with the remnants of sin in our flesh.
Paul isn’t calling for passive acceptance but an active choice: don’t yield your body to unrighteousness, but present it to God as instruments for His purposes.
This ties directly to the ongoing struggle depicted in Romans 7, where the flesh wars against the spirit. Yet here in chapter 6, Paul provides the key to victory: remember the gospel truth of your position in Christ, resist surrendering to sin’s urges, relinquish your members to God’s service, and rely on the surpassing power of grace over the law.
Reflection for Today:
Reflect on the war within: Where is your flesh battling for control, perhaps in thoughts, habits, or relationships? How can reckoning yourself dead to sin change your approach? Consider Paul’s command as a daily mindset shift: You’re not defined by your struggles but by your life in Christ. Ask God to reveal where sin is trying to reign and where you can choose righteousness instead.
Application:
Today, fill in that blank for yourself, "I’m a good [Christian/Catholic/Believer/etc.]", and reflect on what it truly means. Choose one area of your life where you can demonstrate slavery to righteousness, such as extending grace to someone who wrongs you or prioritizing time in prayer. Let your commitment be from the heart, not obligation.
This week, practice reckoning: When temptation arises, pause and declare aloud (or in prayer), "I am dead to sin and alive to God in Christ." Then, actively replace the passion with a righteous action, turn anger into forgiveness, idleness into service. Track one victory to build faith in grace’s power.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for making us dead to sin and alive to You through Jesus. Help us reckon this truth daily, refusing to let sin reign in our bodies. Strengthen us in the battle against the flesh, that we might live victoriously for Your glory. In Christ Jesus' Holy name, Amen.