EXTRACT

RWS “Reckon yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus”, Romans 6: 11. Would that not bear on being quickened with Christ?

JT That is Roman truth; it is intelligible, because the epistle is initial and basic. Sin has a great place there. In the passage you quote it is not yet sin in themselves, but sin in the world. “Alive to God” is that you are feeling Godward; God has a place with you. It is reckoning, which implies that the christians at Rome had not progressed far. The apostle does not say they were dead, but they were to reckon themselves to be dead to sin. The word ‘reckon’ there is important. You act in light and on principle, and thus in time you will come to the state that corresponds. Colossians says that as having been raised with Christ we have died (Colossians 3: 1–3). One recently converted who had been accustomed to attend theatres might still have an inclination to go to them, but light controlling his conscience would hinder him; but as he maintained this attitude, the Spirit helping him; he would overcome the desire. He thus would be dead to the evil.

J. Taylor (Vol. 52, p.304)

Edited and Published by J. Strachan, 59 Frederick Street, Dundee, DD3 9DE, Scotland Printed by Crystal Stationery, 22 Western Road, Billericay, Essex CM12 9DZ, (T) (01277) 650661