Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:  (9)  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.  (10)  For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.  (11)  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:8-11 

Explanation:

Paul continues to think through the implications of Christ’s death and ressurection.  The crucifixion of Christ lead to his resurrection.  Death no longer has power over Christ. He only had to pay for sin one time.  Sin’s consequence is death, and since sin has been paid for sin is no longer demands the death of Christ.  Death has no power over him.

It is the same for us that are in Christ.  So Paul makes this incredible statement in one key word.  The word is “reckon”.  Strongs concordence defines the word translated “reckon”, λογίζομαι (logizomai), this way:

to take an inventory, that is, estimate (literally or figuratively): – conclude, (ac-) count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on).

Strongs Concordence

It is an accounting term.  Paul is saying when you estimate yourself in relationship to sin, run the numbers, and come to the right conclusion.  You and I who are in Christ are dead to sin.  We are also alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Justification doesn’t just lead us to right standing, it leads us to right living.  We’re not just positionally right with God, now we’ve been given the power of God to be alive to Christ and dead to sin.

Application:

The problem with “reckoning” ourselves dead to sin is that we must believe this truth by faith.  Just as we are justified by faith, we must also be sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ.  You may not feel dead to sin in the moment, but it’s precisely in that moment of temptation where we must consider ourselves dead to sin.  “I’m dead to that.”  These 4 words might be exactly the right words to say by faith when temptation comes.

Response:

Do you consider yourself dead to sin and alive to Christ?  Try it today when you face temptation.