15/07/2025
"Present Yourself to God, Not to Sin"
Daily Reflections
Author: Rev Jhun Sam
(Script from my book publish in Amazon)
Romans 6:13 (ESV):
“Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.”
Today, it's important for us to understand our complete identity with Christ after our justification. We will cover these truths today with our podcast, but I would like to deepen the exposure of this study by observing a proper theology in every phrase mentioned by Apostle Paul. In Romans 6, Paul is writing to believers who have already been justified by faith, as he explains it thoroughly in the previous chapter (Romans 5). Now, he begins to teach them how to live out their salvation as main objective of every justified believers. Here he told them explicitly that after justification that they will not returned to their sinful habits, but by consecrating their entire selves to God.
The apostle explains this concept to the church of Rome with high in theological perspective. Let me expound on the verse in this study!
👍🏼Do not present your members to sin...” The word "present" (Greek: paristēmi) means to offer or yield something. Paul is saying not to offer any part of your body, such as your eyes, hands, mouth, and mind, to sin for the purpose of being used for evil. Sin wants control over your body, but as believers, we no longer belong to it.
👍🏼”instruments for unrighteousness...” The word “instruments” (Greek: hopla) can also mean weapons. If we yield to sin, we become weapons in the hands of the enemy, causing damage to ourselves and others.
👍🏼”But present yourselves to God...” This statement is the core theme of this passage, whereby Paul wants believers to understand that rather than surrendering ourselves to sin, we have to dedicate our entire being to God.
👍🏼”As those brought from death to life...This reminds us of our new identity. We once were spiritually dead, enslaved to sin, but now we’re alive in Christ. Yielding is not merely about following rules; rather, it is a response to the life brought by justifications.
👍🏼”Present your members to God as instruments for righteousness." Here, Paul directly stated his ultimate aim for the church. He told them that their life is an instrument for righteousness; it means that every part of our life becomes a tool for righteousness: we should use our voice to bring encouragement, our hands to serve others, our mind to seek truth, and our actions to reflect Christ. These should be the guiding principles for a justified man.
Now, let's ask ourselves! How Do I Present Myself to God, Not to Sin?
1: Start each day in prayer, intentionally offering every part of yourself to God:
“Lord, take my eyes, thoughts, words, and actions; use them for Your glory.”
2: Present yourself to God; this means avoiding sin. Don't feed your soul with sin. Remember, practically, we make choices based on what we see, observe, and hear.
3: Though we are justified, be mindful that sin is still present and active. Therefore, yielding to God is also about refusing sin's lies and rejecting temptation when it comes. Always remind yourself of your identity. You are united with Christ through justification, which you can affirm by saying, “I belong to God now.” That’s not who I am anymore.”
4: Now, use your energy, time, and body to serve others. Righteousness must be active; it's not passive. Be a catalyst for Christ through your performance, and always live your identity as justified.
Let's pray, dear God. Thank you for bringing me from death to life through Jesus. I confess that I often give in to old habits and expose myself to things that dishonor You. But today, I choose to yield to You. Take every part of me—my thoughts, emotions, and actions. Use me as an instrument of righteousness. Teach me to reject sin and embrace Your will. I am yours. In Jesus’ name, amen.