This expression in this verse (1 Peter 2:24), “that we might die to sin and live to righteousness,” certainly provides for justification (namely, that Christ’s death provided the atonement for our sins that satisfied the Law’s demands and that His death allowed God to justly forgive those who trust in Jesus for salvation (Romans 3:26)), but I think that the context emphasizes the sanctification that begins at the moment of our justification and continues until our death and our eventual glorification. For while we have died to sin (Romans 6:7, etc.), we are also dying to sin every day as we put sin to death in our daily lives and as we seek moment by moment to live in righteousness and holiness. In this context, and I believe in all of 1 Peter, the emphasis is on living an obedient life as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Peter assumes that the disciple has experienced the new birth and so instructs and exhorts the disciple to live out that new birth in righteous living. Thus dying to sin is clearly defined in the radical and sanctified living to which Peter calls the disciple. Therefore, the main responsibility for “dying to sin” rests on the disciple. Through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, the disciple is to vanquish remaining sin in his flesh (Colossians 3:5, etc.) and is to strive toward righteousness (Romans 6:17ff). While there may be setbacks along the way, the disciple is to persevere on the journey and should see continual progress in sanctification through obedience.

SDG     rmb     7/24/2016