Living by faith in the presence of grace (Romans 6)

The Gentiles are condemned for their sins (ignorance is no excuse) Background – Romans 1 The Gentiles are condemned for their sins (ignorance is no excuse)

The Hebrews are condemned for their sins (Circumcision doesn’t help) Background – Romans 2 The Hebrews are condemned for their sins (Circumcision doesn’t help)

Background – Romans 3 Jews and Gentiles alike Lost in sin Justified by grace through faith APART from the law

Key Thesis – Romans 3:21-25a “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it – the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received in faith.”

Background – Romans 4 Abraham illustrates justification by faith for both the circumcised and the uncircumcised

Background – Romans 5 Peace with God is through the sacrifice of Christ – in contrast with Adam

Romans 5:18 Trespass of one (Adam) - Leads to condemnation for all Act of righteousness of one (Christ)– Leads to justification for all

How should those living by faith in the presence of grace live and act How should those living by faith in the presence of grace live and act? (Romans 5:20 – 6:23)

How should we live and act? Holy spirit answers indirectly By answering two logical questions raised by Paul’s argument in Romans 1-5

Question 1 IF Grace glorifies God (2 Cor. 4:15) Glorifying God is our duty (1 Cor. 6:20) Grace abounds with increasing sin (Rom. 5:20) THEN: Doesn’t grace encourage a sinful life?

Question 2 IF I am justified by faith through grace I am not justified by law keeping THEN: What’s wrong with occasional sin? (Does grace render sin unimportant?)

Romans 6 – A logical response Paul answers by proceeding from fact, through implication, to application A natural approach, because faith: Is reasonable (Hebrews 11:1-3) Responds to logically consistent arguments

Doesn’t grace encourage sin? Answered by an appeal to the significance of baptism

Two important points Baptism is assumed to be a shared experience for ALL believers Baptism is more than a symbol A tangible reality - Christ’s death IS our death to sin

How can we who died to sin live in it? (2-5) Baptism into Christ -> Baptism into death Buried with him -> Raised with him Newness of life (power of God shown) United in death -> United in resurrection

Significance of baptism (6-8) Old self crucified -> body of sin brought to nothing no longer enslaved to sin One who has died -> set free from sin Have died with Christ -> Will live with Christ

Significance of Christ’s Actions (9-11) Christ raised from dead Never to die again (no dominion) Christ died to sin and lives to God Conclusion: Consider self dead to sin / Alive to God in Christ (alive for his purposes)

Alive to God in Christ (12-14) Let not sin reign in your body to obey its desires (takes effort) Don’t present members of body as instruments for unrighteousness Instead present self to God (brought from death to life) Present members as tools for righteousness

Conclusion 1 Does grace encourage a life of sin? NO! Sin’s dominion is destroyed because of grace (not law)

Does grace render sin unimportant? Answered by an understanding of slavery and to what/whom we are slaves

Slaves belong to their masters (16) “Obedient slaves” – willingness Of sin -> leads to death Of obedience -> righteousness Cannot serve two masters ! (Matthew 6:24)

The master has changed (17-18) We were slaves of sin Became obedient to gospel (wholeheartedly committed to a standard) Were set free from sin Became slaves to righteousness (hard)

Our actions must change (19) Presented members as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing lawlessness Present members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification (holiness)

Our wages have changed (20-22) Were slaves to sin -> obtained death as fruit of shameful actions Set free from sin Have become slaves to God -> obtaining sanctification and eternal life as fruit of service

Our choice (23) Death as a just payment for serving sin Eternal life as a gift for serving Jesus Only one option can be chosen

Conclusion 2 Does grace render sin unimportant? NO! Sin and grace are NEVER compatible – mutually exclusive masters