It's been almost a month since my last blog entry. Major distractions, none of which I will write about here, have side tracked my study and journeying of Romans. But I'm back at it!
Romans 6. I love this and the next two chapters of Romans. It speaks of the Holy Spirit and God's love, both providing a new kind of life for true believers.
The opening question, "should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more kindness and forgiveness?" is one that requires closer examination. In light of a recent conversation with a very confused and lost young man and woman, where the premise/concept of Romans 5:20 was openly debated, chapter 6 brings enlightenment. Up to this point in the book, Paul has primarily discussed God's justification of sinful people. Some people, after reading 5:20, considered the notion that believers should then sin more to receive more of God's grace (or maybe to keep on sinning to get more of God's grace). The fact is that grace was not designed to encourage sin; for believers to "bank" on God's kindness and forgiveness. Upon becoming a Christ-follower - the point of salvation - believers "died" to sin, or (said another way) freed from the power and grip of sin. We now have the freedom to live new lives. The word here is sanctification. It's a big churchy word that means purified, approved of, blessed, and set apart. It's a new spiritual life now and physical resurrection later.
It's a process that continually transforms (changes) us and conforms us into the likeness of Jesus Christ (Rom 8:29). The "old" us, spiritually dead, under sin's control, ungodly, and enemy of God, is peeled away, one layer, one life experience at a time. The "new" us should recognize and acknowledge these truths, and not continue in (to choose) sin or follow its lustful desires. It is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
Verses 12-14 commands us to stop letting sin "reign." Believers who are no longer under the control of sin must put this attitude into action by giving ourselves to God and using our whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God. My mother has told me for years, and I have since used it 1000 or more times, that "actions speak louder than words." You can tell me, until you're blue in the face, that you are a committed Christ-follower, but, until I see it in your life (demonstrated in your experiences), it isn't real. Saying it doesn't make it so. Some people would say that I'm being judgmental. I'm simply making an observation, not criticizing or condemning. God alone is the judge. Hear the words of James 2:14..."What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?" Chapter 2, verses 17-18 go on to say, "So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” If we choose to "obey" sin, it becomes (or remains) our master. We are subject to its rule and power. Can someone who intentionally chooses to disobey God and purposefully live accordingly also claim to be a Christ-follower? Can darkness co-exist with light?
But through Christ, we have the freedom to obey God. We must obey with all our heart the teaching God has given us. We must choose to be "slaves" to righteousness so we will become holy, and do the things that result in eternal life (Romans 6:15-22). Because we are alive to God and have eternal life, we should present ourselves to Him and live accordingly, not letting sin master us.
Good stuff! Easy to do? Chapter 7...
Phil, I had no idea that you were doing this study. Glad to see your blog page. I too have studied deeply into this amazing book. I am anxious to hear what you have to say when you get into Romans 8:28-30. Keep studying and praying for enlightenment. Love to you all,
Traci Bryan
Posted by: Traci Bryan | June 18, 2009 at 05:32 PM