22/09/2026
DAY 22
THE DEMAND OF SANCTIFICATION 2
«“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.” Romans 6:12 (KJV)»
In the previous devotional, we considered that justification is not the end of the Christian journey. We have been saved by grace, but that salvation calls us into a life of sanctification.
Paul continues this thought in Romans 6 by giving the believer a direct command:
«“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body.”»
Notice that Paul did not say, “Sin will no longer exist.” Rather, he says, “Let not sin reign.” This means that although the believer may still encounter temptation, sin must no longer be allowed to exercise dominion over his life.
DO NOT GIVE SIN THE RIGHT TO RULE
Paul says:
«“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin.” Romans 6:13»
Your body, your eyes, your hands, your mouth, your thoughts, and your desires are not to be surrendered to sin.
Before Christ, we lived according to the desires of the flesh. But now that we belong to Christ, we must deliberately choose what we yield ourselves to.
The question is no longer simply, “What do I want?”
The question becomes:
“Does this honor Christ?”
Sanctification requires deliberate surrender. We cannot continually feed sinful desires and expect to walk consistently in righteousness.
PRESENT YOURSELF TO GOD
Paul gives us the alternative:
«“But yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” — Romans 6:13»
This is the heart of sanctification.
We don't merely stop doing wrong; we present ourselves to God for righteousness.
Our hands should serve God.
Our mouths should speak words that honor Him.
Our eyes should be guarded.
Our minds should be renewed.
Our bodies should be instruments through which God's will is expressed.
Sanctification is therefore not simply about what we remove from our lives. It is also about what we surrender to God.
SIN IS NO LONGER YOUR MASTER
Paul concludes:
«“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14»
Grace does not mean that sin has permission to rule us. Grace means that through Christ, sin's dominion has been broken.
Therefore, the believer must stop living as though sin is still his master.
You have been made alive in Christ.
You have been brought out of the old life.
You have been called to righteousness.
So don't give sin the throne that belongs to Christ.
Do not let sin reign.
ACTION POINT
Examine the areas of your life where you may be allowing sin to have influence.
Ask yourself:
“What am I yielding to?”
Identify one area where you need greater discipline and surrender it deliberately to God.
When temptation comes, don't simply say, “I hope I don't fall.”
Make a conscious decision:
“I will not yield myself to sin. I belong to Christ, and I will present myself to God as an instrument of righteousness.”
PRAYER POINTS
Father, thank You for the grace You have given me through Jesus Christ. Thank You that sin no longer has dominion over me. Help me not to yield my body, my mind, my words, or my desires to unrighteousness. Teach me to present myself completely to You as an instrument of righteousness. Give me the strength to resist temptation and the discipline to walk in holiness. May my life continually reflect the transformation You have begun in me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
FURTHER BIBLE READING
Romans 6:12–14 — Do not let sin reign
Galatians 5:16–24 — Walk in the Spirit
James 4:7–8 — Resist the devil and draw near to God
Colossians 3:5–10 — Put to death the old nature
1 Corinthians 9:24–27 — Discipline and self-control
Kingdom Light Ministries Pst. James Edikan James Edikan Kingdom Light ministries - Atiku Branch Kingdom Light Ministries Nwaniba Amb Nkese James Edikan
