Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound meaning

Shall We Continue in Sin That Grace May Abound?

      Romans 6:1 – “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?”

      The apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, poses this powerful rhetorical question in Romans 6:1. It follows a beautiful truth explained in Romans 5:20 — “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” In other words, no matter how great our sin is, God’s grace is always greater. His mercy reaches deeper than the darkest guilt. This truth is a cornerstone of the gospel: we are saved not by our works but by His grace through faith.

      However, Paul anticipates a misunderstanding. If God's grace increases to cover our sins, then shouldn't we sin more so that His grace may increase even more? That’s the question he asks in Romans 6:1. And in verse 2, he answers emphatically: “God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Paul’s response is not just a denial—it’s a rebuke of that kind of thinking.

Grace Is Not a License to Sin

      It’s important to understand that the gospel of grace is not a permission slip for disobedience. Some may take advantage of the idea of forgiveness and twist it into a justification for living in habitual sin. But that completely misses the point of grace.

      Grace not only forgives — it transforms. When we accept Christ, we are not just pardoned; we are changed. Paul says we are “dead to sin.” This means our relationship with sin is broken. It no longer holds the power it once did. We are no longer slaves to its commands.

      Imagine a prisoner who has been set free, yet still chooses to live in the prison cell with the door wide open. That’s what it looks like when a believer continues in sin under the assumption that grace will simply cover it. It's a life that ignores the freedom Christ paid for.

A New Life in Christ

      The heart of Romans 6 is the call to walk in newness of life. In verse 4, Paul says, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead... even so we also should walk in newness of life.” When we were born again, we didn’t just receive forgiveness; we received a new identity.

      This new life is marked by holiness, not sinfulness. It’s powered by the Holy Spirit, not the desires of the flesh. We now live not to gratify ourselves, but to glorify the One who saved us.

The True Response to Grace

      The proper response to grace is not rebellion, but reverence. When we truly grasp how much we’ve been forgiven, our hearts should overflow with love and gratitude—not with a desire to keep sinning. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Grace empowers us to do just that.

      So, shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Absolutely not. Grace doesn't call us to remain in the filth we were rescued from. It calls us to rise, to walk in freedom, and to reflect the holiness of the God who saved us.

      Let us cherish the grace of God, not by abusing it, but by allowing it to transform us. Let us live as those who are truly dead to sin and alive to God, showing the world what it means to be a new creation in Christ.