“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” — Romans 6:11
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Several years ago, the Houston Rockets were playing the Oklahoma City Thunder. A Rockets player took a 3-point shot and was aggressively fouled in the process of shooting. He made the shot and the announcer exclaimed, “Count it and a foul!” Even though the player was knocked to the ground, the whistle blew, and some of the players stopped playing, they considered the basket to be good and added three points to the scoreboard. The officials counted it as good even though the situation would dictate otherwise.
Even when our circumstances are dire and dark, we are facing temptations and trials, or we get knocked down, we are to consider ourselves to be dead to sin and alive to God (Romans 6:11). Sin no longer is our master, and we are to live like it. “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin” (Romans 6:6). Even when it doesn’t feel like it’s true, we are to “count it” as true.
So today, as you face temptations and feel the pull to stray from the Lord, consider yourself to be dead to sin and alive to God. Even if it feels like you are still a slave to sin because of the enticement of sin and temptation, regularly remind yourself that you are dead to sin. Count it to be true!
— Ikki Soma, Houston Rockets chaplain
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