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

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Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

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