Reckoning Part 1: Things to "Consider as True"

In Romans 6:11 New King James Version we are told to (in view of the realities and truths expressed before) "reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to God." Reckoning means to consider something as being true -- in a personal, identifiable way for ourselves. In Scripture whenever we are commanded to "reckon" something, likewise we are to "consider it as being true" in light of the things that have happened.

There are many things that have happened and are to be "considered as true" for the believer in Christ (one who has faith in Him and claims Jesus as His Savior, Lord, Master, Guide, God, Teacher, and source and means of salvation) through Jesus' death on the cross and raising from the dead. Paul the apostle often referred to believers who had this faith as being "in Christ." A key aspect of being "in Christ" that Paul mentions over and over again is that we "walk by the Spirit" -- that is entire study in itself.

Using different translations and looking at the Scriptural context, I discovered many things believers are to "reckon" or "consider as true". For the full reason as to why we are to do this, look at the context of the verses around the truth... Therein is found reason for faith in the Lord to "consider it so." Often the very simple reason is: Jesus died on the cross as a sinless man for our sins and God the Father raised Him from the dead.

I've started with a list from the Book of Romans. Others will soon follow.

Things to "Consider as Being True" (From the Book of Romans)
1. We are to consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Jesus (Romans 6:11).
2. Our faith in the God who raised Jesus from the dead is considered as righteousness to us by God... and Abraham's righteousness is applied to us also on the basis of our and his faith(Romans 4:21-25).
3. We are to consider a man to be declared righteous not by works but by faith (Romans 3:24-28).
4. Having been freed from sin, we are able, allowed, permitted to be slaves to Christ and we become his slaves by obeying from the heart his teaching and so reap many glorious benefits [this sounds bad, but it is really a GOOD thing] (Romans 6:17, 18, 22).
5. Through the body of Christ [which died] we have died to the Law [which says be justified by obeying everything] and have been released from living by it to attain holiness or salvation. Now we serve [God] in the newness brought in by the Holy Spirit (Romans 7:1-6).
6. There is NOW no condemnation for us who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
7. God did this: He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own son. Because of this the requirements of the Law are fulfilled in us through Christ, who is our righteousness (Romans 8:3-4, 1Corinthians 1:30).
8. If the Spirit of God dwells in us: We will willingly subject oursevles to God's holy law; We can please God; We will have a mind full of life and peace; We belong to God (Romans 8:6-9).
9. From being in Christ, our spirit is ALIVE because of righteousness though our body is dead because of sin (Romans 8:10).
10. God, who raised Jesus from the dead, will also give life to our mortal bodies through His Spirit which dwells in us (Romans 8:11).
11. The sufferings we experience here and now are nothing in comparison to the coming glory that will be revealed in us through Christ (Romans 8:18).