Lesson 7 for the 14 th of August, 2010

“Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more” (Romans, 5: 20) How does grace abound MUCH MORE when sin abounds? Grace is enough to forgive every sin. Grace solves the terrible results of sin. Grace defeats death and gives us eternal life through Jesus. Grace cans transform us. 1 1

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans, 6: 4) According to Romans, 6: 1-11, a Christian dies to sin through baptism How is that possible? 2 2

If a believer dies to sin through baptism, could he sin again? 3 3 Yes, he could, but he is able to choose whether he wants to be ruled by sin or not. The old man DESIRES to live for sin. The new man DESIRES to live for God, although he might sin sometimes. We cannot overcome sin by ourselves. Only by faith and thanks to God’s promises we can overcome sin. Let’s remember that God’s grace always abounds, even if we sin. “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires” (Romans, 6: 12)

What does ‘not to be under law, but under grace’ involves? “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace” (Romans, 6: 14) 4 4 To be ‘under the law’ means to use the law as a way to salvation. “The law shows the sin (chap. 3: 20); the law enlarges the transgression because the sinful way of man (chap. 5: 20). The law cannot forgive sins nor give any power to defeat them. If a sinner tries to be saved under the law, he will be tied stronger to his sin” (SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, on Romans, 6: 14)

What does ‘not to be under law, but under grace’ involves? “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace” (Romans, 6: 14) 4 4 To be ‘under grace’ means to use grace as a way to salvation. “A Christian admits that he has transgressed the divine law and he cannot carry out its requests by his own strength. He admits that he deserves only damnation, but he surrenders to God’s grace and mercy through faith. Then, his sinful past is forgiven through God’s grace and he receives divine power to walk "in a new life"” (SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, on Romans, 6: 14)

If we are no more under the law, why must we keep it? (Romans, 6: 15) 5 5 “To be under grace doesn’t mean that a believer is free to disobey God’s moral law with total impunity; to say that is to distort the purpose of God’s plan. God, in his love, offered grace to the sinner because he violated the divine law; man is free from sin’s control only by God’s grace. Therefore, how could be right or reasonable to stand deliberately under the old slavery? Disobeying God’s law involves becoming slave to sin again, since disobeying the divine law is sin (1 John 3: 4) and anyone who perseveres with sin is slave to sin (John 8: 34). To keep sinning after accepting God’s grace – that forgives and transforms – is to deny the purpose of that grace. Anyone who refuses to be lead to obedience to God’s law by His grace is rejecting that grace; he is rejecting God’s freedom and salvation” (SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, on Romans, 6: 15)

Are you a slave to sin or to obedience? (Romans, 6: 16) 6 6 Slaves to sinSlaves to obedience How can we become slaves to obedience [“slaves to righteousness” (Romans, 6: 18)]? 7 7 “But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted” (Romans, 6: 17) The right doctrine or teaching helps us to become “slaves to righteousness” DeathRighteousness

What do we obtain when we are freed from sin? (Romans, 6: 19-23) We are made slaves to God. 2.We have our fruit to holiness. 3.We have eternal life in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

“So now offer the parts of your body in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness” (Romans, 6: 19) Do you want to be slave to sin or slave to righteousness? Let’s follow Paul’s advice: