Jesus Wins: A Recap of Dr. Scroggins’ Message on Romans 6

Today in chapel, Dr. Jimmy Scroggins from Family Church in South Florida preached from the second half of Romans 6, continuing to emphasize the truth that Jesus wins in the process of justification and sanctification. In this passage, Paul gives believers a framework for understanding sanctification — the ongoing process of becoming more like Christ after justification.

Dr. Scroggins reminded us that justification is a status. We are made righteous not by our own works but by Christ’s finished work on the cross: through grace alone, by faith alone, in Christ alone. Sanctification, however, is the daily process of living out that reality, even as we struggle against temptation and failure.

Point 1: Sin is your old master.

Paul is clear that sin once held full authority over us. Even now, sin still tries to act like our master. Dr. Scroggins illustrated this by describing how we sometimes “have conversations” with sin by offering parts of our body to sin, such as our mouth in what we say. Romans 6:12 warns us not to let sin reign in our bodies because it is no longer our rightful ruler.

Point 2: Jesus is your new Master.

In direct contrast to Romans 6:12, Paul declares that believers have been set free from sin and have instead become slaves to righteousness in verse 22. Because of this idea, Dr. Scroggins emphasized that we now serve a better master, Jesus. Therefore, instead of offering our parts of ourselves to sin, we must present our bodies, words, works, and time as instruments of righteousness to God.

Point 3: We still have to fight the old master.

Though Christ has freed us, sin does not simply disappear. Dr. Scroggins warned us that all sin is addictive, progressive, and destructive, and our temptations gain power when desire, opportunity, and repetition align. In the fight against sin, giving yourself zero access is the key to success. Cutting off all opportunities for parts of ourselves to be offered to our old master, sin, helps guard our minds and hearts in the process of sanctification.

Point 4: Our new master is better than our old master.

Finally, Paul makes a clear contrast: Sin leads to death. But life under Christ is different. Jesus offers freedom, restoration, and eternal life. Our new master is infinitely better than the old one.

Dr. Scroggins concluded by reminding us that though we will stumble, sanctification is God’s work in us. The old master will not win in the end — because Jesus already has.