ODM Daily Inspirational Devotional Messages Bible Verse and Prayers ODM
DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL – 15TH APRIL 2026
### Freedom from the Flesh
By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi | Deeper Christian Life Bible Ministry
KEY VERSE
“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” – Romans 6:6
TEXT: Romans 6:1-14 (KJV)
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 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.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
DAILY MANNA FOR TODAY
The grace of God is not a license to continue in sin. Some believers, misunderstanding the depth of God’s love and forgiveness, have fallen into the error of thinking that because grace abounds, they can continue in sin without consequence. But the apostle Paul strongly refutes this misguided notion. He asks rhetorically, “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.”
The believer’s union with Christ through baptism signifies a definitive break with the old life of sin. Just as Christ died and was buried, so the believer’s “old man” – the former sinful nature – is crucified with Him. This is not a symbolic act but a spiritual reality. The body of sin is destroyed, not annihilated, but rendered powerless so that we should no longer serve sin.
The devil often tries to convince believers that they are still slaves to sin, that they cannot overcome temptation, and that their old habits will always control them. This is a lie. The Word declares that “he that is dead is freed from sin.” Death ends the jurisdiction of sin. Since the believer has died with Christ, sin no longer has any legal claim or dominion over him.
This freedom, however, must be appropriated by faith. Paul instructs believers to “reckon” or count themselves dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ. This is an act of faith – agreeing with what God has already done and refusing to allow sin to reign in one’s mortal body.
The pathway to victory involves a conscious choice: we must not yield our members as instruments of unrighteousness. Instead, we yield ourselves to God as those who are alive from the dead, presenting our bodies as instruments of righteousness. This is not passive; it is an active, daily decision to surrender to God’s lordship.
The promise is sure: “Sin shall not have dominion over you.” This is not because of our strength, but because we are not under the law but under grace. Grace does not give permission to sin; it provides power to overcome sin.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Grace is not a license to sin; it is the power to overcome sin.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 85-89
COMMENTARY
Introduction: The Misuse of Grace
One of the most dangerous errors in the Christian life is the belief that because God’s grace is abundant, sin has no serious consequences. This devotion confronts that error directly. The apostle Paul asked, “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?” His answer is emphatic: “God forbid.”
Grace is not a covering for continued rebellion; it is the power for righteous living. Those who use grace as an excuse for sin have fundamentally misunderstood the gospel.
The Meaning of Baptism into Christ
Paul explains that baptism into Christ is baptism into His death. This is not merely a water ritual; it is a spiritual identification. When we are baptized, we are saying that we have died with Christ. Our old life – with its sinful patterns, addictions, and bondage – is buried. Just as Christ was raised from the dead, we are raised to walk in newness of life.
This is not a future hope; it is a present reality. The believer has already been planted in the likeness of His death and will also be in the likeness of His resurrection.
The Crucifixion of the Old Man
Verse 6 is a cornerstone of Christian theology: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”
The “old man” is not a part of us that remains; it is a person who died with Christ. That person – the slave to sin – is no longer alive. The “body of sin” – the ruling power of sin – is destroyed. It is not merely wounded; it is rendered powerless.
This means that the believer does not have to serve sin. Sin may knock at the door, but it has no legal right to enter. The old master has been defeated.
Freed from Sin
“For he that is dead is freed from sin.” Death ends all contracts. When a person dies, their debts are cancelled, their obligations cease. In the same way, the believer who has died with Christ is freed from sin’s dominion.
The devil may accuse, but he cannot command. He may tempt, but he cannot compel. The believer is free.
Reckoning by Faith
Paul instructs believers to “reckon” or count themselves dead indeed unto sin. This is not pretending; it is appropriating by faith what is already true in Christ. We agree with God’s verdict: I am dead to sin, alive to God.
This reckoning must be followed by action. We must not yield our members as instruments of unrighteousness. Instead, we yield ourselves to God. This is an active, daily surrender of our thoughts, words, and actions.
The Promise of Dominion
“Sin shall not have dominion over you.” This is not a suggestion; it is a promise. The reason is not our strength but our standing: we are not under the law but under grace. The law exposes sin but cannot overcome it. Grace provides the power to overcome.
DECLARATIONS BASED ON THE DEVOTIONAL
I DECLARE that I am dead to sin and alive to God through Jesus Christ!
I DECLARE that my old man is crucified with Christ; the body of sin is destroyed!
I DECLARE that I am freed from sin – it has no dominion over me!
I DECLARE that I will not continue in sin that grace may abound; God forbid!
I DECLARE that I walk in newness of life, as Christ was raised from the dead!
I DECLARE that I reckon myself dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God!
I DECLARE that I will not yield my members as instruments of unrighteousness!
I DECLARE that I yield myself to God as an instrument of righteousness!
I DECLARE that sin shall not have dominion over me, for I am under grace!
I DECLARE that grace is not a license to sin; it is the power to overcome sin!
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Father, I thank You that through Jesus Christ, I am dead to sin and alive to You. Forgive me for any time I have misunderstood Your grace as a license to continue in sin.
I declare that my old man is crucified with Christ. The body of sin is destroyed. I am freed from sin’s dominion.
I reckon myself dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ. I will not yield my members as instruments of unrighteousness. I yield myself to You as an instrument of righteousness.
Sin shall not have dominion over me, for I am not under the law but under grace.
Let Your grace empower me to live a life that honours You.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
#DailyManna #DCLM #PastorKumuyi #FreedomFromTheFlesh #Romans6 #DeadToSin #AliveToGod
