Christ has died. And all those who trust Him, claim His death as the final punishment for their sin.  Christ has been raised and will one day raise us from death to an everlasting life in close company with Him (2 Corinthians 5:8).  Therefore, Paul argues, how can we respond to the call of sin anymore?  Of course, the human answer is 'all too easily' (Romans 7:21-25), but as the Apostle personally experienced and was teaching the church in Rome, we need to think in a new way.

Firstly, we need to consider ourselves 'dead to sin' (1 Peter 2:24).  That is: we died with Christ, and dead bodies cannot respond ... so we should not respond to the call of sin (Colossians 3:1-3).  Secondly, we must stop obeying the internal command to sin, and break the habit of sinning (Romans 6:16).  Thirdly, we must decide not to let our bodies do things, say things, see things or go places that would offend our Saviour (Matthew 18:8-9).  Fourthly, we should give our bodies clear instructions to serve God instead (Romans 12:1).  Fifthly, we must remember our purpose, to be agents of God's righteousness, and refuse to give sin any room to grow in our hearts, our thinking and behaviour (James 1:13-15).

In other words, we need to live the new life that Christ has bought for us and stop, as Proverbs 26:11 says, being like the dog that returns to its vomit.  God has covered us with His grace, but we are not to go back to our old ways (Romans 6:1-2).  No!  We must work with Him to win the daily battles which will show who is really in control of our lives (Deuteronomy 20:4).  Alas, our default is to sin unless we choose not to!  So, we need to submit ourselves to God and resist the devil; disciplining our spirit to pray and desire what is right; disciplining our soul to reject the lies of temptation; and disciplining our minds and bodies to choose a path which serves our Lord rather than our fleshly desires (1 Peter 1:13-16).

The Word of God will remind us of what is right and wrong, the Spirit of God will urge us to choose the right way; but we have to make righteousness our goal, and refuse to allow sin to have control.  So, take one area in which sinful living has become a habit, tell the Lord you want to change and work through these principles with Him!