Rom 6:12-13 Therefore do not let sin reign~| in your mortal body so that you obey its desires, and do not present~| your members to sin as instruments to be used for unrighteousness, but present yourselves*~ to God as those who are alive from the dead and your members to God as instruments to be used for righteousness.
In Romans 6:12–-13, “Therefore” refers back to the command to in the previous verse to “consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Salvation is not just a positional truth but a transformational truth. It is not just theoretical truth; it is also a practical liberation from sin’s domination in our lives.
Transformational salvation begins with the confidence of a divine transaction that has taken place on our behalf. However, one of the key signs of the reality of the new birth is the presence of the Holy Spirit within us, which is indicated by a new sense of conviction of sin. Jesus said, “When He has come, He will convict the world of sin” (Jn 16:8). The believer experiences a new awareness of sin and a desire for godliness.
With this new presence of the Spirit working in the believer, he is “strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man” (Eph 3:18). We are promised, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Cor 10:13).
We are to cease doing two things and make one commitment: First, we are to “stop letting sin reign in [our] mortal bod[ies].” Sin has no right to reign over a dead person, and we have died and now “are alive from the dead.” We are no longer “slave[s] to sin” (Rom 6:6).
Second, we are to “stop presenting [our] members to sin,” which means to “cause to stand near or place nearby.” We are told to “make no provision for the flesh to arouse its desires” (Rom 13:14). Avoid sinful situations.
Third, we are to “immediately decide to present [ourselves] to God . . . and [our] members to God as instruments to be used for righteousness.” The command means we are to stay near to God, especially following His word, and keep our bodies and minds occupied practicing His word in service to others. Victory is for the choosing.
“Lord, I will trust You for grace to conquer my most besetting sin, and I will focus my energy on being ready to serve You by serving others You put in my path.”