The Roman’s Road to Righteousness (Chapter 7:13-25)‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏

Hello Friends!

Welcome Back! Let’s continue our journey through the book of Romans – “The Romans Road to Righteousness.”

 

The Roman’s Road to Righteousness (Chapter 7:13-25)

This week we will continue reading chapter 7, verses 13-25 as we consider the fact that Law cannot save from Sin…

When you are saved by Jesus Christ, you come to the conviction that not only do you have trouble controlling the outside – you have even worse trouble controlling the inside. All the unsaved who come to Jesus Christ come this way. They see the reality and depth of their “sin” – not only that they do wrong things but that there is an inner corruption in their nature as well.

 

Here the Apostle Paul opens with this question and an answer that is quite apropos and fitting:

Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful – Romans 7:13

So again Paul answers such a question with an emphatic – "Certainly not!"

In an analysis of a crime, is the “law” to blame? No! The “law” simply reveals the crime. The “law” wasn't made into something deadly – “sin” is deadly! Just because man can't live up to the “law” doesn't mean it is bad – it means man is bad. Man's true character is exposed when compared to the “law” of God. Man is so evil that instead of realizing the “holy” purpose of God's “law,” they push against it and are deceived – that is the wretchedness of “sin.” Conversely, the “law” was given to produce blessing – the fullness of life! That is Paul’s point.

 

Now Paul draws a poignant description of a Christian in conflict with himself. The conflict is very real, it is very intense and it is very strong. In fact, Paul uses the word “I” some 46 times in this portion of Scripture! 

 

It is a rare passage in the Bible because it does something that rarely happens – a series of three laments. This section represents a trilogy of repetitious, desperate, sorrowful cries expressed in three different ways. This is the cry of a broken heart and a distressed soul that is in great conflict. Paul loves God's moral “law” and deep down in his inner most being wants to obey it but is pulled away from its fulfillment by the “sin” that is in his “members.” This is Paul’s personal experience of a Christian soul in conflict with “sin” – it is a life-long battle! It is a great warfare that rages in the heart.

 

Each of these three laments begins with this statement of the condition:

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin – Romans 7:14

IMPORTANT NOTE: Paul says “the law is spiritual” and “I am carnal” – sarkinos. In other words, he is human – physical. Notice he does NOT say “I am in the flesh.” Look back again at chapter 7:

For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death – Romans 7:5 

We “were“ in the “flesh” as unbelievers – in our unregenerate and unredeemed condition. Again, Paul says here “For when we were in the flesh” – not “are” in the “flesh.”  But he does say ““I am carnal” – fleshy…

 

Paul’s First Lament: The Description of his Condition ~

Every Christian knows that even though he is a “new creation” in Jesus Christ and the dominion of “sin” is broken and no longer has mastery over him, “sin” is still a major problem. Paul understood this to be true in his own life:

For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do – Romans 7:15

Here we see a Christian having conflict with “sin” even though his new self is “holy.” In this verse the word “For” tells us Paul is not introducing a new subject. He’s continuing the same subject from the prior passage – the goodness and virtue of God’s perfect “law” – it shows us our “sin.”  The problem isn’t with the “law” – the problem is with us. That is why it's so important to understand what we learned in chapter 6 – the believer is a “new creation” in Jesus Christ!

 

But… There's still going to be a major conflict…

If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me – Romans 7:16-17

This tells us there is a battle taking place here within a Christian because the deepest part of Paul – his soul – wants to do what is right. But something keeps him from doing so. Is that true of an unsaved person? Does the lost person really long to do what is right?

No… Not according to Jeremiah:

The heart of man is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it? – Jeremiah 17:9

However, the Christian has in his heart the sense of the moral excellence of God's “law.” The more mature that Christian is, the more profoundly committed to the direction of the Holy Spirit of God in his life. The deeper his love is for the Lord Jesus Christ, the deeper is his sense of God's “holiness” and the greater the longing to fulfill His “law.”

 

Paul’s Second Lament: The Proof of his Condition ~

Paul then again expands on this same idea. Something deep inside him wants to do what is right. But his “flesh” – “nothing good” – continues to get in the way:

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice – Romans 7:18-19

Again, I believe this is the testimony of a regenerated – born again – man. We do not see unredeemed, ungodly people who do not know Jesus Christ have such perception of God’s “holy law.”  Here in verses 18 & 19 Paul says “I will to do” God’s “law.” We do not see such a delight in an unregenerate person’s heart. 

So the heart, the soul & the mind deep within the Christian longs to do what is “good” – But there is an “evil” principle that causes this to not be so easily accomplished… The “flesh!” 

Paul’s Third Lament: The Source of his Condition ~

Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man – Romans 7:20-22

The conflict, tension and battle that “dwells” within Paul causes him to say “I delight in the law of God“ in his “inward man“ – the born-again Paul! However, there is “another law” taking place in Paul’s “members” that is “warring against” – bringing him into – “captivity to the law of sin”:

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? – Romans 7:23-24

Do you know what kind of a Christian Paul is describing here? This is an example of the most mature and humble Christian who sees so clearly the contrast of his “flesh” against the “holiness” of God’s divine standard. And the more mature he becomes, the greater will be the sensitivity of his own “sin” and failures. This is Paul far along in his Apostleship, mature in the Lord, walking in the dynamics of spiritual life as well as having experienced the mighty power, wisdom and knowledge of God. And the more he knows and experiences, the more he hates the “sin” that he sees in his life! 

 

The carnal, fleshly, legalistic, self-righteous “Christian” lives under the disillusion that everything he's doing is really quite spiritual. On the other hand, a person with Paul’s kind of brokenness – agonizing in the depths of his own soul because he can't do everything written in the “law” of God – is a truly “spiritual” person. This was the Apostle Paul!

 

So… Is there any hope? Yes!

 

Our Holy Hope & Present Practice:

I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin – Romans 7:25

In other words, we have the indwelling Holy Spirit. We are a “new creation” and we possess the divine nature of God. But, we also groan within ourselves waiting for the final redemption of our physical body. We're still longing for that day when we are fully freed and eternally redeemed in body as well as soul. So, the battle isn't going to be over until Jesus Christ gives us immortality and incorruption. Full deliverance awaits our Glorification – a “new” glorified physical body. This is complete assurance!

 

REMEMBER: The “heart” and “mind” are used interchangeably in the Scriptures – representing the soul. The redeemed will “serve the law of God” with the “mind” but our “flesh” – carnal “members” – will “serve the law of sin.” Sadly, the unredeemed can only serve Satan and self!   

 

However, that’s not to say the Christian can't experience victory now… That truth is found later in chapter 8…

 

In closing:

 

You and I need constant exposure to the divine “holy” standard of God so that we can see the “sin” in our life and confess it so that we may experience the full blessing that belongs to His children. So when Jesus Christ saved you – “sin” was evident and you cried out to Him. And as we live in Jesus Christ every day, we must see our “sin” so that we can confess it and seek His forgiveness. 

 

The fine exegetical commentator Charles Cranfield wrote this poignant statement:

"The more seriously a Christian strives to live from grace and to submit to the discipline of the Gospel, the more sensitive he becomes to the fact that even his very best acts and activities are disfigured by the egotism which is still powerful within him, and no less evil because it is often more subtly disguised than formerly."

King David uttered these powerful words in this regard:

Your word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You – Psalm 119:11

David may have been indicating that he too must keep exposing himself to God’s “Law” so that he would see the “sin” in his own life, repent and turn away from it…

 

As we study the Word of God, let It always be setting the standard for our lives. And as we see the standard of God's “holiness” and the beauty of God's “law” lifted up, may we find ourselves falling short and crying out in repentant contrition to Him – Praise the Lord! 

Please continue reading verses 13-25 of the seventh chapter of Romans.

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

Encouraging Concepts

Truth for Today

"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"

Lighthouse Publications <><

The Roman’s Road to Righteousness (Chapter 7:1-12)‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏

Hello Friends!

Welcome Back! Let’s continue our journey through the book of Romans – “The Romans Road to Righteousness.”

The Roman’s Road to Righteousness (Chapter 7:1-12)

This week we will begin reading chapter 7, verses 1-12 as we consider Sin’s Advantage in the Law and being Freed from the Law…

In our continuing study of Romans, it is interesting to note that twenty-three times in chapter 7 there's a reference to the “law” – the main theme of this chapter. The “law” of God is perfectly “holy” and yet this chapter says so much about being “dead to the law.” Although the “law” of God is indeed a glorious thing – the Christian has been “set free” from it! 

 

Remember: The context and major theme of the book of Romans is Justification by “faith.” You're not saved by keeping the “law.” However, by believing on Jesus Christ through God’s “grace” alone you have been “set free” from “sin” and its tyranny!

 

Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 all focus on Justification by “faith.” Then chapters 9 to 11 the Apostle Paul applies them to Israel. Then in chapters 12 through 16 he shows how “faith” manifests through “righteous” living – Sanctification. In fact, the point that we've been stressing since we began chapter 3 is that Salvation has tremendous power. You cannot claim to be a Christian without demonstrable “fruit” produced in your life. True Salvation transforms the believer from the inside out!

 

Here in the first section of chapter 7, verses 1 through 6 we see we have been Freed from the Law and the Apostle Paul gives us four points to ponder: the “axiom,” the “analogy,” the “application” and the “affirmation” of this truth…

 

The Axiom – Paul is quite gifted at establishing self-evident axiomatic principles that don't have to be proven – they are simply obvious!

Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives? – Romans 7:1

Notice here that Paul addresses these Roman readers as “brethren” to interject an affectionate greeting. After all, by now some of the Jews were ready to stone him because of his saying we are not under the “law” of God! Paul appeals to what he assumes they already know. He's rather tactful and gives them the benefit of the doubt. Another words, everyone knows this whether it’s Greek “law,” Hebrew “law,” Roman “law,” Mosaic “law,” Biblical “law,” Jewish “law” – any “law!” Anybody who understands “law” knows it only has dominion over a man “as long as he lives…” That is the key point being made here.

 

The Analogy – Paul uses a fascinating analogy from the institutional “law” of marriage:

For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man – Romans 7:2-3

Another words, if the “husband” is dead, the “wife” is loosed from the marriage “law” of her husband. Again, the key point here is that marriage “law” binds people only while they're alive.

 

NOTE: This passage is not meant to be the all time definitive statement on marriage and divorce stating that the only time you can ever remarry is if your partner dies. This is simply an analogy and is only saying one thing – “death” ends the rule of “law” in marriage.

 

The Application – Paul gives us an excellent application that leads to this essential correlation:

Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death – Romans 7:4-5

As we've been learning from Paul, when you put your faith in Jesus Christ, you are united with Him – you “die” with Christ in a real spiritual death. Before you came to Jesus Christ, the “law” had no ability to save you – all it could do was condemn you. However, now that you've been saved, the “law” cannot condemn you. And ultimately that you “should bear fruit to God” rather than “bear fruit to death…” That is what Paul is talking about here.

 

The Affirmation – Paul states we are no longer in the “oldness of the letter” but have been “delivered from the law”:

But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter – Romans 7:6

We have been discharged from any legal liability. The “law” said you're guilty, so you must “die.” When Jesus Christ “died” on the cross, He paid our “sin” penalty and we “died” in Him. The “law” no longer has any claim on us. The curse of the “law” that was on us has been taken by Jesus Christ – we “have been delivered from the law” that “we were held by…” 

 

And what is this “newness” of service? Great question! Well, it is "not in the oldness of the letter." It is not in submission to an external code or external ritual. It's not on the outside obeying the “law” of God while all the while the heart is unresponsive. It's not Pharisaism, it's not legalism, it's not externalism, it's not religiosity, it's not hypocrisy. No! We now “serve in newness of the Spirit” by the power of God – Praise the Lord!

 

In the second section of chapter 7 verses 7 through 13 we see Sin’s Advantage in the Law as the Apostle Paul shares four elements of conviction: through “sin” the “law” reveals, rouses, ruins and reflects its nature. 

 

The “law” Reveals:

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” – Romans 7:7

Again, Paul must be imagining his Jewish antagonist to ask: “Hey Paul, Are you saying that the holy law of God that He gave to His people which was a manifestation of His heart and His mind and His will and His nature and His purpose is evil?” And again, Paul’s answer is a stern “Certainly not!” 

 

In fact, I think what he's saying here is: “I really never knew the full extent of sin until I really understand the full extent of the law and it convicted me!” – “I would not have known sin except through the law.”  The “law” to Paul was now internal – conviction of the heart.

 

The “law” Rouses:

But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead – Romans 7:8

The idea is that until you see the “law” of God in its fullness and are truly convicted of your “sin” – it is “dead” in the sense that it doesn't overwhelm you. But when the “law” of God convicts and you really see what “sin” is, it then rises to become quite apparent in your life. Paul said that “sin, taking opportunity by the commandment” then “produced in me all manner of evil desire.” And that's when a person truly comes to Jesus Christ – they're overwhelmed by their “sin” nature. 

 

The “law” Ruins:

I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me – Romans 7:9-11

The point here then is that the “law” devastates the sinner. And that's exactly what God wants to do – put the sinner in a hopeless, helpless state outside of his own strength. The “law” aggravates “sin” – it “deceives” and it “kills” through the “commandment” of the “law…”

 

The “law” Reflects:

Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good – Romans 7:12

Finally Paul says the “law” reflects the sinfulness of “sin” – it's not anything that is the fault of the “law.” In other words, the “law” of God has a wonderful purpose. It converts the soul. It makes wise the simple. It reveals the truth. The “law is holy” and the “commandment” is “holy and just and good” – and man cannot keep them. There's nothing wrong with the “law” – something is wrong with man!

 

In closing:

 

The Jews highly esteemed the “law” of God, which was divided into three parts:

• The ceremonial law
• The social law
• The moral law

The “law” was given to the Jews because they are a unique people. However, they believed that you had to keep all of these external “laws” – as that was the standard of holiness. And the only way one could become “holy” and the only way one could stay “holy” was to keep the “laws” of God – which of course is impossible. The rabbis, by the time of our Lord Jesus Christ – and the time of the ministry of the Apostle Paul – had summed up all of the Old Testament “law” into 613 man-made commandments! And in order to be perfectly “holy” and to maintain it, one had to work really hard!

 

For context, these “laws” had been embellished by rabbinical tradition – even way beyond the intention of God! The rabbis divided them into two parts: 

 

FIRST: There were mandatory things to be done – 248 habitual things one had to DO to be “holy” (related to God, the temple, sacrifices, vows, rituals, donations, Sabbaths, animals, festivals, community, idolatry, war, social issues, family, judicial matters, legal rights and slavery).

 

SECOND: There were prohibitory things not to be done – 365 prohibitional things one could NOT DO to remain “holy” (related to idolatry, history, blasphemy, temple worship, sacrifices, priests, diet, vows, agriculture loans, business slaves, justice and relationships).

 

However, as we know, the issue of “sin” is not external. In fact, Jesus Christ spoke very harsh words of condemnation to these self-righteous religious “hypocrites” – actors:

But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments… But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves – Matthew 23:5 & 13-15 

As for today… You might be able to stop your drinking on the outside by attending “AA” meetings. You might be able to stop lying by going to psychological counseling. In fact you might even be able to control your behavior because you want to be accepted by certain “religious” people. But the Word of God is clear – the only way you will ever be cleansed and forgiven of the evil desires of your heart is by a complete internal transformation by the power of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ…

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith – Romans 1:16-17

Praise be to God that we have been set free from the “law” of “sin” and “death” by the blood of Jesus Christ – Halleluiah! 

Please continue reading verses 1-12 of the seventh chapter of Romans.

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

Encouraging Concepts

Truth for Today

"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"

Lighthouse Publications <><

The Roman’s Road to Righteousness (Chapter 6:15-23)‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏

Hello Friends!

Welcome Back! Let’s continue our journey through the book of Romans – “The Romans Road to Righteousness.”

The Roman’s Road to Righteousness (Chapter 6:15-23)

 
This week we will continue reading chapter 6, verses 15-23 as we consider being redeemed from Slaves of Sin to Slaves of God…

Up to this point, it's been very gratifying to have studied these closely knit theological discussions of the Apostle Paul in the Roman epistle. As we think along with Paul, I'm reminded of what the Apostle Peter said about Paul’s writings:

and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures – 2 Peter 3:15-16

In all his epistles Paul speaks of things that are “hard to understand” in which “untaught and unstable” people “twist” as they “do also” the other Scriptures – “to their own destruction.” Paul did indeed say things that were “hard to understand” and Peter even confessed to that. I confess to it and I know you do as well! 

 

As we continue in chapter 6, Paul echo’s Jesus in His flaring discourse to the Jewish religious leaders, reminding them that all individuals who live a life of habitually committing “sin” are “slaves” to that “sin”:

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin” – John 8:34

Every person who is born into this world is under the tyranny of “sin” in Adam – controlling their thoughts, words and actions. When we think about what it means to be a “slave” to “sin” it is a horrifying thought. 

 

The greatest “gift” that God could ever give a human being is to be freed from “sin” and to be restored to the place of “righteousness” in Jesus Christ. To be able to fulfill all that we were intended to be when God created us – before “sin” invaded our humanness – is His greatest desire. Praise be to God that we as Christians are now free from “sin” and its penalty, power & presence! I can't think of a more wonderful thought than that, can you? So, this masterful passage is all about being “made free from sin.” With that said, let’s continue…

 

The result of what we found in the first half of chapter 6 is to be made “holy” by God. And the result of our “holiness” here in verses 15 to 23 is to be “made free from sin”. The Apostle Paul is looking at the same great reality from two different angles – what Sanctification is and how it is connected to Justification. We “died” in Jesus Christ and were “raised” in Him because we have a new “master” which obviates the old master. In both cases, Paul’s point is to show that a truly regenerated person cannot go on in the same habitual pattern of “sin” that was characteristic of his life before he was saved. When we were “redeemed” and made right with God, it was to make us “holy” and “free from sin” – that was His intention!

 

To the legalist, “grace” appears to be lawlessness – license to “sin” – and they are very antagonistic toward Paul's doctrine of salvation by “grace.” So, the first antagonist question was posed back in verse 1 and now Paul’s question in verse 15 is very much like it:

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! – Romans 6:15

The idea is the same and Paul’s answer is the same. Does the doctrine of salvation by “grace” give freedom to “sin” in an unrestrained way? – Certainly not!

 

Sadly, many Christians yield themselves as servants of “disobedience” to God. Gladly, many yield themselves servants of “obedience” to God. Paul personifies two “masters” here – “disobedience” and “obedience”:

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? – Romans 6:16

There is no salvation apart from such a conscious submission of “obedience” to God’s Word. When you came to Jesus Christ – “present yourselves slaves to obey” – you came as a “slave” to the Lord. There are no other terms. If we are the “slaves” of “sin,” what does it lead to? – “death.” And if we are “slaves” of “obedience,” what does it lead to? – “righteousness.” Therefore, we can confidently say if a person continues in the same unmitigated, continued, habitual, persistent and willful “sin” as he did before he supposedly came to Jesus Christ – no matter what he thinks – he's not a Christian.

 

We always thank “God” for salvation because He is the “Author and finisher of our faith.” It is “God” alone who can break the “slavery” to “sin.” Salvation is of “God” and no other!

But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered – Romans 6:17

Whenever we're talking about someone's salvation, Who do we have to thank? “God!” We didn't come to Jesus Christ for any other reason than that “God” brought us to Him. Having said that, let's look at the rest of the contrast here. Paul says "you were slaves of sin." That's an imperfect tense verb which means “it's a past time of continuous reality.” In other words, in past times you were continually a “slave of sin.” And when you “obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered” you are affirming your commitment to be subject to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life. 

 

With that said, now let's look at our “new position,” “new practice” and “new promise” as Christians... 

 

Our New Position:

We are now “slaves of righteousness”:

And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness – Romans 6:18

What does that verse say? When we were “set free from sin” it wasn't because of something we did on the outside. It wasn't some water baptism, church membership, signing a card, putting your hand up, walking down an aisle, doing some religious rite, saying prayer beads, lighting a candle, taking a pilgrimage or… whatever! It was something that took place on the inside – from the heart – something that “God” did to us. We “became slaves of righteousness” and we were “set free from sin” – How wonderful!

 

Our New Practice:

You must now "present your members as slaves of righteousness":

I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death – Romans 6:19-21

Here is a most interesting statement – “I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh.” He is basically saying “it's hard to put this supernatural, eternal, incomprehensible, miraculous, data into your puny little heads!” Paul is admonishing us to get our practice lined up with our position! Our life style must accommodate our “new nature.” We are no longer “slaves to sin” but rather “slaves of righteousness for holiness” – so act like it!

 

These three verses are very profound. Paul says when you were “slaves of sin” in your former life you were “free” from “righteousness” – you had no need of it at all. God’s “righteousness” made no demands on you because you had no capacity to respond to Him – your “sin” kept you from the “righteousness” of Jesus Christ. Paul then says the only “fruit” you had when you were unregenerate was that which you're “ashamed” of… The “fruit” of “sin” does nothing but fill us with fear, guilt and shame…

 

Our New Promise:

 

We are now “set free from sin” to “everlasting life”:

But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life – Romans 6:22

Paul's contrast here is of two “slaveries” – one of “sin” and the other slaves of “God” – as our new promise. You now have “your fruit to holiness” – a whole new “fruit” of God’s “holiness” and “everlasting life” – Praise the Lord!

 

REMEMBER: The Apostle Paul’s statement here of “having been set free from sin” doesn't mean you’ll never “sin” as a born-again Christian. Again, that position is the false doctrine known as “cheap grace” – Antinomianism. 

 

Here Paul means you're “set free” from its tyranny – you don't have to “sin” anymore! The “sin” nature is a part of the Christian’s “flesh” or bodily “members” – in which we will do battle until we meet the Lord. And God’s “righteousness” is now part of the Christian’s “soul” which has been “set free” by His “free gift” of “grace” (We will address this very important topic in greater detail in chapter 7).

Sin’s Wages or God’s Gift?

Finally, we see how “sin” as a ruling principle in a lost person's life is mastering him, leading him to become more vile as time progresses. The wickedness of “sin” adds to more “sin” which adds to more “sin” – ultimately ending in eternal “death”:

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord – Romans 6:23

The word "wages" is a very interesting word. It means "something that is earned." In fact, the word is used commonly of the rations that were given to soldiers for their military service in exchange for their duty. It was their just compensation for service rendered. When God brings to bear “death” – eternal hell – it is because the person has earned it. This “wage” is fair and proper compensation for their “sin” because God says the payment for “sin” is “death.” And those who hope for pardon and deliverance apart from Jesus Christ are actually hoping that God will be an unjust Judge – God cannot be unjust!

 

However, blessed be to God there’s more! Paul also says “but the gift of God is eternal life…” Our “eternal life” is not a “wage.” Did you notice the change? It is a “gift!” Can you earn eternal life? No – it's a “gift!” In fact, it's a free “gift” that you cannot earn by your good works, your right behavior or your religiosity – you can't earn it period. No merit, no earning, no worthiness – it's a free “gift” in “Christ Jesus our Lord!” – Halleluiah!

 

In closing:

 

Jesus Christ is not looking for people who want to add Him to their “sin” and godless life style. He is calling individuals who will “die” and “rise” again in Him! He's calling lost men and women to say no to their present “master” and yes to a new “master!” Yes, His “grace” does indeed cover “sin” – but it never condones it! And furthermore, it transforms the “sinner” into “Christ-likeness” by His Power – alone!

 

Eternal Salvation Equation: Jesus Christ + anything = NOTHING!

 

In fact, the Apostle Paul has a good description for self-righteousness – man doing his best apart from “Christ Jesus.” Do you remember what he called it?

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ – Philippians 3:7-8

He counted it all as “rubbish”… or in the original text  – “dung”… Wow!

 

Oh how blessed we are as Christians that God doesn't hold our “sin” against us! Here in chapter 6 we see just how doubly blessed we are. Not only does God not hold our “sin” against us – He also sets us free from its tyranny. Just to know that I don't have to “sin” and I'm no longer its “slave” is great news!

Please continue reading verses 15-23 of the sixth chapter of Romans.

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

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