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Romans 6:9–10 “For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God."

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There are some moments in history that shift the course of everything—wars ending, empires falling, revolutions beginning. But no single event has changed the universe more than the moment Jesus walked out of the grave.

Paul says, “We know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again.” That phrase “we know” is important. This isn’t wishful thinking. It’s anchored certainty. The resurrection is not just a hopeful metaphor. It’s a historic reality. Jesus didn’t just survive death. He defeated it. And Paul wants that truth to sink deep, because what happened to Jesus is not just for Jesus. It’s for you.

Paul tells us something else stunning. “The death he died, he died to sin once for all.” That phrase “once for all” is a game changer. It means final. Complete. Irreversible. Jesus doesn’t need to die again. He doesn’t need to redo the sacrifice. He doesn’t need to go back to the cross every time you mess up. His one death was enough for all time, for all sin, for all people who believe.

That should quiet every whisper of shame and every accusation that says you need to “pay God back” for what you’ve done. You can’t. And you don’t need to. Because Jesus already did. He died once. For all. And now that death is behind him, and life is all that remains.

That means death no longer has mastery over him. And if you’re united with Christ, the same is true for you. Death—both physical and spiritual—no longer owns the final word in your story. Sin’s penalty has been paid. The grave has lost its grip. You are now tethered to life, because Jesus is.

But here’s what’s easy to miss: the same way Jesus died to sin, Paul says we now live to God. That’s not just something we admire from a distance. It’s a pattern we’re called to follow. Jesus’ resurrection life becomes our resurrection life. The shape of his story becomes the shape of ours.

We died to sin. That doesn’t mean sin is gone. It means its reign is over. And now, like Jesus, we live to God. That means our life is now God-directed. God-oriented. God-saturated. We live for his purpose, from his power, with his presence.

But let’s be honest—most days don’t feel very resurrection-filled. Life feels ordinary. Temptations feel familiar. Fears still show up. And that’s why we need verses like this. Not to guilt us into pretending, but to remind us of what’s actually true.

Imagine a king who was dethroned but still walks around the village shouting commands. Some people still respond, not realizing he’s lost all legal power. That’s how sin operates. It yells. It intimidates. It acts like it’s still in charge. But when you know the real King is already reigning, you stop listening to the imposter.

Sin is no longer your ruler. Death is no longer your end. You now live in a different realm. The realm of grace. The realm of God. That doesn’t mean every battle is gone. But it means the outcome has already been secured.

Paul’s reminder that Jesus cannot die again is deeply personal. Because some of us live like the cross only covers us until our next mistake. We treat grace like a temporary loan, not a permanent gift. But Jesus doesn’t go back to the cross when you fall. He intercedes for you from the right hand of the Father. He doesn’t re-die. He reminds the enemy that death has already been defeated.

And when Paul says Jesus lives to God, he’s inviting us to do the same. You may not feel heroic. You may not have a platform. You may not be able to quote entire chapters of Scripture. But you can live to God. You can orient your thoughts toward him. Offer your choices to him. Let your words, your time, your presence reflect his love. This is resurrection life in motion—not flashy, but faithful.

The death of Jesus doesn’t just change your eternity. It changes your today. You don’t have to live in fear of messing up. You don’t have to try harder to earn what’s already been paid for. You don’t have to wait until you feel holy to live like you’ve been made holy. You already have access to life with God. Right now.

That doesn’t mean perfection. It means direction. It means you wake up and say, “Jesus, help me live to God today. Let this decision, this conversation, this moment reflect your resurrection in me.”

The cross is not the beginning of guilt. It’s the end of it. And the resurrection isn’t just the exclamation point to Jesus’ story. It’s the opening line of yours. Jesus died once for all. And now he lives to God. So do you. That truth changes everything.

Apply

Spend a few minutes today reflecting on the words “once for all.” Where are you still trying to earn what Jesus has already finished? Write down one area where you can begin to “live to God” today—not out of pressure, but out of joy.

Pray

Father, thank you that Jesus died once for all. Thank you that death no longer has mastery over him—and because of him, it no longer has mastery over me. Help me stop trying to earn what you’ve already given. Teach me to live to you today, with trust, courage, and joy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.