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How long did it take you to learn to ride a bike?
I remember I was a late bloomer. Every time I sat on that thing, I’d fall over within seconds. Skinned knees and elbows were common. Through the patience of a friend, I did eventually pick it up, but it took two years to get there.
Some of you likely didn’t need that much time. But we can all agree that the majority of us needed some time to go from being bad at riding a bike to being good.
The same goes for learning to live a life free from sin. The best way to explain that comes from Romans 6:1-14.
Paul says that if you’re in Christ, you’re not just forgiven—you’re actually dead to sin and alive to God. That’s not just religious talk. It means something deep and real about who you are now.
Through faith in Jesus, your old self—the you that was ruled by sin—was united with Christ in His death. In God’s eyes, that old person really did die with Him on the cross. And just as surely, you were raised with Him into a new life. You may not have felt anything dramatic, but spiritually, something permanent changed.
Baptism is a picture of this. Being lowered into the water is like being buried with Christ. Coming up again is like being raised with Him. It’s a quiet but powerful reminder: My old life is not my identity anymore.
Still, the pull of sin is real. Old patterns, old thoughts, old temptations keep showing up. That’s why Paul says, “Consider yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” You may not feel dead to sin, but God is asking you to believe what He says is true, even when your emotions lag behind.
So when temptation comes, you don’t have to just give in and shrug, “That’s just who I am.” In Christ, that’s not who you are anymore. You can talk honestly with God: “Father, You say I’m dead to this sin and alive to You. Help me believe that and walk in it right now.”
Living under grace doesn’t mean you never stumble. It means sin is no longer your master, and you no longer live under condemnation. You live under the smile of a Father who has joined you to His Son and filled you with His Spirit.
Today, you might just pray: “Lord, help me see myself the way You see me—dead to sin, alive to You. Show me one area where I can take a small step of obedience, trusting Your grace. And help me to learn how to ride this sin-free bike you’ve given me. Amen.”