Paul’s first imperative in Romans—“consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” (6:11)—is striking both in its nature and content. Why does Paul begin with an imperative of self-perception rather than action? And what does it mean to “consider” oneself in this way? This paper explores these questions through the lens of cognitive linguistics and metaphor theory, arguing that, in Romans 6:11, Paul calls the Roman believers to engage in an autobiographical reconstruction that flows from his argument in 6:1–10. Furthermore, I will argue that this “being” (or “identity”) is grounded in a new conceptual location (no longer “in sin” but “in Christ”). This conceptual shift is reflected in Paul’s use of two key metaphors—the Subject-Self metaphor and the Essential Self metaphor. Finally, I will suggest that this imperative of self-perception is not merely a cognitive exercise but plays a crucial role in the believer’s ongoing sanctification, shaping ethical transformation through a renewed self-understanding.