From the MLJ Archive

Romans 6:5-6 — What does it mean when Christians say to “put off the old man”? Sometimes, Christians can get carried away with the notion of the “old self,” saying they need the old self to die and be crucified. However, in this sermon from Romans 6:5–6 titled “The Old Man Was Crucified,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that the old self is indeed gone and was crucified with Christ. Paul says that because the Christian is united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, any old self that was under the reign of sin has also died. Although the Christian was not physically with Christ during those acts, they were spiritually with Him. Even now, they are spiritually with Christ and growing. Instead of saying that the old self needs to die, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the Christian needs to shed old characteristics of sin. They should no longer live like the old self because He has already died. Paul guarantees that it has already been done and Christ’s people are no longer slaves to sin.