How Should We Live in Response to the Gospel?

We are saved by grace through faith—not by our works, not by our moral performance, and not by our religious effort. And yet, our response to the gospel results in a new kind of life. Scripture is clear:

“By grace you have been saved through faith… not a result of works.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)

And yet the Bible also calls us to holiness, to obedience, and to a life transformed. Jesus says our righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees. James tells us that faith without works is dead.

So, if salvation is by grace alone, does it matter how we live?

Yes. It matters deeply.

The gospel is not permission to live however we please. Rather, the gospel is the power that changes us.

When we come to Christ, His grace not only forgives us—it reshapes us into people who walk in newness of life.

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1. Don’t Keep Living in Sin

Paul anticipates a common misunderstanding of grace:

“Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?” (Romans 6:1)

In other words, if God forgives freely, why not keep sinning?
Paul responds:

“By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:2)

If we have been united to Christ, then our old self—the version of us that lived under sin’s rule—has died. Thus, we cannot be alive in Christ and remain comfortable with sin.

The gospel is not:

• A “get into heaven free” card
• A spiritual insurance plan
• A permission slip for self-indulgence

The gospel frees us from sin, not into sin.

Thus, a faithful response to the gospel requires repentance. Repentance isn’t a one-time moment—it is a lifelong pattern of turning from sin and turning toward Christ.

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2. Remember Who You Are: United with Christ

Paul explains what has happened to us in Christ:

“All of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death.” (Romans 6:3)

Baptism is a picture of our union with Jesus.

• Going under the water shows death with Him.
• Rising from the water shows new life with Him.

Before there can be resurrection, there must be death.
Thus, a Christian’s response to the gospel means dying to our sinful desires, to self-rule, to our old identity.

This clashes with the message of our culture, which says:

“Be true to yourself. Follow your own desires.”

Scripture says:

“Die to yourself so that you may truly live.”

And here is the good news:

“Just as Christ was raised from the dead… we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)

And so, union with Christ’s death means union with His resurrection life.

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3. Live Out of Your Union with Christ

Paul concludes:

“Consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11)

Notice what he says: consider yourself what you already are.

You don’t make yourself dead to sin.
You don’t achieve new life by effort.
God has already done this in Christ.

Thus, your role is to live in the truth of who you now are.

• Sin no longer defines you.
• Sin no longer owns you.
• Sin no longer has authority over you.

Christ has broken its power by His death and resurrection.

So, we cast off sin—not to earn acceptance—but because we have already received acceptance in Christ.

And, we obey—not to secure God’s love—but because we already have God’s love.

Finanlly, we pursue holiness—not to prove ourselves—but because we belong to Christ now.

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Our Response to the Gospel: Walking in Newness of Life

So, how are Christians called to respond?

1. Reject sin’s false promises. Grace is not an excuse to sin—it is the power to walk in freedom.
2. Remember your union with Christ. You are dead to sin and alive to God.
3. Live in the new identity you’ve received. Abide in Christ daily, through His Word and His Spirit.

The gospel doesn’t just change your future—it changes your present.

Because Christ lives, you now live too.

So today, and every day, let’s put sin behind us and Christ before us.

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In one sentence:

The gospel not only saves us by grace—it transforms us by grace, calling us to live as people who have died to sin and now walk in the power of Christ’s risen life.