Sigh of Relief

Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Paul has gone to great lengths to show us the wonder of the Grace of God in Christ - that despite our sin, God has reached down to us and offered His righteousness through faith in Christ.  We have been saved from our sin and received eternal life.  That is one big sigh of relief.  But that sigh could be (and has been) misinterpreted and misapplied.  Having received forgiveness and assurance, some might (and have) then conclude that it is something one can do over and over again and be insured against punishment, as if we can then sin all we want and it's no big deal. Paul says, "No way!" The sigh of relief is that it is not up to us to have victory over sin all by ourselves. The same power that provided salvation from provides power to battle sin every day.  The sigh of relief allows us to take a big breath of fresh air to stand against sin a whole new way - in the power of Christ.