As such, we can never use our bodies for sinful purposes because doing so would equal death. "Serving sin produces death," whereas serving God produces the fruit of holiness, and in the end, eternal life," (Copeland 2009). As Paul puts it in the book of Romans, "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord," (Romans 6:22-3). Putting this new way of life into practice is not easy, because the temptations of the flesh are everywhere around us. We live in a consumer society, driven by constant acquiring of material goods and the satisfaction of worldly pleasures. To withstand such social pressures requires absolute faith and trust in God. The primary means of withstanding temptation is by reading scripture. Daily readings remind us of the truth of Christian living, the purpose behind the gospel, and how we can spread the word of the gospel by our example even more powerfully than by our own words.

Reading scripture reminds us of the simple truths that can lead us back to Christ. For example, reading Romans 6 reminds us that sin results in death -- in spiritual death. Paul exclaims, "What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!" (Romans 6:21). The strong language and references to death should alert us to the consequences of our sinful actions. To act in slavery to sin is to invite death; to resist temptation is to invite God. We make the choice with our body, as each act shall be judged by God. As Copeland (2009) puts it, being reborn in Christ we become instruments of the Holy Spirit: "But rather present our bodies as instruments of righteousness, for we are under grace."

A second way of developing greater godly power for daily Christian living is by participating in Christ's...

Living the truth of Christ means creating a Christian community that becomes a place of peace and salvation for all our neighbors. After all, Paul points out the social connection of Christ by using the analogy of marriage in Romans 7 and also by stating, "we have an obligation" in Romans 8:12. We have an obligation to live with Christ and to spread the word of the gospel. This means abandoning our old ways and old connections in order to be reborn in the new world of Christ. The Kingdom of Heaven on Earth is sustained by righteous living. We are children of God, "heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ," (Romans 8:17). Becoming instruments of God's will means something different for each person but it always entails joining with fellow Christians and supporting the path to Christ.
Paul points out the importance of participating in the Christian community when he states, "the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time," (Romans 8:22). We shall therefore act as midwives for the spirit to be reborn in the hearts, minds, and souls of all who would have faith. As Christians, we are responsible for spreading the word of the Gospel, which might not be apparent to those who do not have faith. Having faith entails being able to die to sin, to recognize the true meaning of Christ on the cross. In dying to sin, humanity can finally recognize why Christ died on the cross. We may then realize how sin has blinded us and prevented us from being with God now and in the hereafter.

References

Copeland, M.A. (2009). The Epistle to the Romans. Retrieved May 31, 2010 from http://executableoutlines.com/ro/ro_06.htm

"Romans 6:8-10 Commentary." (2010). Retrieved May 31, 2010 from http://www.preceptaustin.org/romans_68-10.htm

Smock, G.E. (n.d.). Walking in the spirit. The Gospel Truth. Retrieved May 31, 2010 from http://www.gospeltruth.net/walkinthespirit/witsrom7.htm