Consider Yourselves 3.5.2026

“So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11 ESV)

     And so, here we are betwixt and between. We continue to live in a fallen world whilst pursuing an intentional life of discipleship. This is the ordinary context for Kingdom living since the resurrection of our Lord Jesus. It is the worst kind of wishful thinking to hope for some imaginary circumstance where ministry does not require us to fashion a redeeming presence amid Empire. Jesus conducted His ministry, called His disciples, and formed them into the embryonic Church in the context of Roman imperialism and Herodian compromise. He called them in circumstances which should seem very familiar to us. He called them both from those circumstances and to them. He frees from sin while simultaneously freeing us for ministry. 

    And so, in our text for this week, Paul, in discussing the specific mechanics of salvation; response, forgiveness, baptism, newness of life, reminds us that there are times when we should reflect upon our salvation, our call, and our location. 

    Our liturgical brothers and sisters have formalized this process in the current season of Lent. If anything, Lent is a season of self-consideration, of reflection, and for repentance. Without the formal structure of Lent, we “free-church-catholics”, of all stripes are left to undergo this process of self-reflection in a more individual fashion, though it should not be entirely unstructured. 

    In these brief words Paul summarizes the condition of all those who have responded to Jesus in repentant, obedient faith. We are dead to the deadening impact of the sin that once defined us, and alive to the invigorating power of Christ who saves us. Lent is a good, focused, and for some a necessary opportunity to undergo a structured time of reflection. It is not nearly enough. 

    Public worship in the 21st century has an inordinate focus on the self. Much of the misplaced focus resolves around losing this narrative thread about who we once were and who we now are. Confession, mortification, and repentance for sin are not regularly discussed on most Sunday mornings. Rather than rebellion we consider personal “struggles”. Rather than resignation we seek affirmation. Like many in the contemporary Church it is easy for guys like me to complain about what we cannot address while ignoring what can be easily addressed. 

    It is never too late to remind the gathered saints that we should each consider ourselves. Whether physically looking in the mirror or flipping through our calendar or even looking back at old pictures—we should take time, some time each week to remember “Once I was dead in sin…now I am dead to sin.” 

    When we consider ourselves, it reminds us of the vastness of our previous lostness. While we should not linger too long in our past predicament it is profoundly refreshing to frame our thanks and praise in the twin context of death to sin and living to Jesus. This is the genesis of the historical idea of “self-mortification”. In abandoning the term entirely because of supposed excesses or misunderstanding we have lost sight of the beneficial aspect that comes from balancing the depth of our death with the enormity of our life. 

    Let’s all take some time this holy season to consider ourselves. To think about our new life in light of the old life of Sin. If we lead worship, why not take some time to encourage his reflective process in the worshipping flock. Whether you observe Lent or not this is the right time of year—as we anticipate the season of resurrection to consider ourselves both dead to sin and alive to God in the risen Christ.