The Bible tells us that we are justified by grace (Charis) through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. (Titus 3:7)
To be justified means to be made innocent. To be made righteous.
However to continue living in sin according to scriptures will produce death. Now some say that this includes spiritual death while others say only physical death due to consequence for sin. Regardless of that age old question let us consider the point of the whole argument.
Death according to this verse in Romans is thanatos in the Greek.
Thanatos is a Grecian deity. According to ancient Greek beliefs this god puts people to sleep and carries them off to the underworld.
That doesn’t exactly sound like a position any Christian wants to find themselves in.
Paul tells us in Romans 6 that Christians are not to continue in sin counting on grace to abound or continue for them.
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Romans 6:1
Romans goes on to tell us that those of us who have been baptized into Christ’s death have put off the old man and are raised like Jesus Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father.
When Jesus rose from the dead he took the power away from Thanatos (to take men to the underworld). So now that old devil Thanatos has no more ability to keep the Christian under his dominion.
Christians who are born of God have a new Lord who rules over their life. Jesus Christ the righteous.
Since this is true, scriptures tell us the old man is dead to sin. Thanatos has no more authority to rule over the blood bought redeemed.
Jesus took the keys or dominion away from Thanatos and his partner Hades.
These two demons have no power to rule over the Christian.
Giving sin or hamartia place in our life gives Thanatos opportunity to rule over us.
Hamartia is the Greek word for sin. It means to come to a tragic end in ancient Greek literature.
When a character in an ancient Greek story came to a tragic end it was because they committed a grievous mistake or error in judgment.
Hamartia by the ancient Greek definition is the inner quality or character of a person which causes the action to occur. In other words the sin or hamartia nature. This bad action determines the character of a person.
How a person reacts to life circumstance determines the character which in turn creates the outcome. The consequence for hamartia always results in a tragic end.
This word is used by Paul to show that bad behavior results in a negative consequence. Whether you are a Christian or not. Sin will always lead to a tragic end.
In Jesus Christ this nature or hamartia is done away with. Instead of coming to a tragic end the Christian whose sins are forgiven now result in a good end.
Christians (born of God) have the Holy Spirit living inside of them. To be alive unto God is to have the new man yielded to the Holy Spirit which exercises dominion over hamartia. Thus preventing Thanatos from having his way.
The key to this equation being realized is the phrase “know ye not.”
Don’t you know that you have been baptized into Christ’s death? He has tasted death for every man. Don’t you know that the whole of hamartia has been destroyed? Don’t you know that you are made free from the dominion of Thanatos so you don’t have to come to a tragic end?
The key is knowing. When you know you have been delivered from the power of darkness then you can yield to the Holy Spirit. You are bought with a price. Redeemed from Hades and Thanatos. Set free from their dominion to serve God in newness of life!
So don’t let hamartia reign in your mortal body. Rather yield or give over your members or body to God so he can control your life by his Holy Spirit.
The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11-14
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