Romans 6:1-11
CHAPTER 6
[1] What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? [3] Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? [4] 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. [5] For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: [6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. [7] For he that is dead is freed from sin. [8] Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: [9] Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. [10] For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. [11] Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (KJV)
Before reading any further, re-read Romans 6:1-11. Think of an acquaintance or friend you wish knew what these 11 verses tell us. Write that person a letter that shares Paul’s message in your own words - Russ.
Romans 6:1-2
[1] What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? At least I'm forgiven
Oops…
There is a bumper sticker that I hate which states; "I may not be perfect, but at least I'm forgiven." When I see one of those stickers in front of me at a stop light, I feel like letting the brake off - just a bit - and bumping their car. "Oops! Well, at least I'm forgiven - see ya' laters."
Christ was adamant in his statement; "[Luke 8:21] And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it." We touched on this a few weeks ago - faith is not something you have - it is a way that you live. We cannot 'have faith,' we can only live faithfully.
Dead to sin
To say, "I can continue sinning - because I am forgiven," is the ultimate in hubris. It throws the gift of the Lord back into his face. Paul tells us that Christ's sacrifice broke the bond of sin to death. We are dead to sin. "GOD FORBID!" [me ginomai] Paul exclaims, that we should allow it to be our way of life. We use "God forbid," as a quaint statement. In making it a daily term - it has lost the power that Paul intended it should carry. The term means "God will gather his armies and rise against you."
Throughout the Old Testament, God reserved His anger for those who threw His grace back into His face. We mustn't think that God changed His character in any manner from Old Testament to New. God is consistent. Sin cannot coincide with His presence - He is on a march to wipe sin out. When his own people chose to sin over God's hand - He left them to the fruits of their ways; slavery, bondage, economic and political ruin.
Christ's death broke the power of sin over our life. We are literally 'dead to sin' and 'alive in Jesus.' It has no more power in our life - that is the truth!
I dealt with someone earlier this week that had lost his job and was living in seething anger for months over his situation. In the process, he was doubting God, breaking his connection with the Holy Spirit and forgoing the leadership of his family. "The more you spend time in your anger," I said, "the less power you have to live."
"But they were not fair." He replied. Evangelist, Joyce Meyer, would say; "That is a fact - but it's not the truth."
A fact is a reality of life - it only becomes truth if we live out that reality. As Christians, we believe that we have been set free from the reality of death's power over our life. We do not expect the world to be fair - in fact, we know that the world of sin is in its death throes. Satan is doing everything possible to bring sin back to life wherever he can make headway.
The fact is that each of us confronts daily temptation; to think of self in the face of Christ's gift - to lust, to lie, to gossip, to drink, to drug. Is the truth then, that we are victims of temptation? "Not so!" declares Paul. "God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"
Peter writes: [1 Peter 5:6] Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: [7] Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. [8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: [9] Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. [10] But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. [11] To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
God has dominion - not Satan. It is a fact that Satan is seeking our souls - but the truth is that the Holy Spirit is greater. It is a fact that the world is unfair, it is a fact that evil is rampant - but it is the truth that Jesus has already paid for our lives. We choose our reality! The more we want to give anger, hatred, temptation the power over our lives - the more alive sin is in our reality. The more we turn to Christ - the greater His power is manifest in us!
Again, Peter says; [2 Pet 1:3] According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: [4] Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. [5] And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; [6] And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; [7] And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. [8] For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. [10] Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: [11] For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
We are dead to sin - now we must become alive to life!
Romans 6:3-4
[3] Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? [4] 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.
Buried at sea
Baptism, in Paul's day, was by full immersion. The symbolism of the event was that you were quite literally buried and re-born. Some Hebrew scholars claimed that you were such a new creation that you could actually marry your own mother - I'd prefer not to go there…
The fact is that our baptism is our burial at sea. The old body will never be found. Our grave cannot be exhumed - it would even be difficult to find! Returning to sin would be like returning to our grave to walk around in our decomposed bodies. Quoting Peter again; "A dog returns to its vomit, and, a sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud [2 Peter 2:22]."
We go back to the grave whenever we return to old patterns. Visit the old bars, go to the houses where sin still reigns, seek out the friendships based on manipulation, dishonesty or cynicism. This only happens when we are not involved in the Lord.
Boredom! How often have I asked people in detention or jail - what were you doing before you went to rob that store, before you climbed in the car with those guys, before you went looking to buy some drugs that night? "I was bored…"
Over the years, I have become pretty harsh with that statement. I say; "You aren't bored - you are BORING! It is not life's responsibility to entertain you! It is your job to get involved, get active, live life!"
To 'walk in the newness of life' - as Paul tells us - means to change our paths, to create new paths of hope in our lives. WE must seek new habits that will bring fulfillment instead of death. Get involved!
This needs to be one of the central tenets of the church. To offer opportunities for meaningful involvement to The Body of Believers. It means offering studies, eclectic worship, small groups, mission outreaches - activities to enrich - social, service and spiritual opportunities for personal and communal growth in Christ.
Yet, to do this requires a committed congregation. Individuals who are determined to say; "What can I do for my church?" Instead of; "The church doesn't do anything I like." The first is walking in the new life, the latter is dwelling in the old carcass. The old carcass says; "Entertain me!" The new body says; "Where can I get involved?"
Romans 6:5-6
[5] For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: [6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Planted together
While I am writing this study, it is springtime in my area. My wife adores the spring and is constantly outside planting a wonderful garden of flowers that grace our yard with beauty. I wonder if the apostle, Paul might have written this letter in the spring. Though he doesn't strike me as a "stop and smell the roses," kind of man - the words he uses are full of new life and the promise of springtime. Paul presents the concept of Christianity by saying that we are planted together [sumphutos] with Jesus. The dried husk of our seed was broken in the same garden as the cross of Christ. Indeed, the term literally means that we are united - or companions - in germination!
The old man is crucified
The husk is blown away and the 'worn out' man has been crucified. Paul doesn't mean the 'past man' or 'the way I used to be' - that was a very different term. Paul means the useless carcass that is wasted away by sin. His images are alive and graphic in contrast. Paul states that when we 'put on the old man' or wear the old carcass we are serving sin. What does it mean to serve sin?
Being forgiven but refusing to forgive.
When we know that Christ has given us power over sin - but we continue to follow the patterns that led us to sin prior to our relationship with him (last week we called these our 'demons').
Romans 6:7-9
[7] For he that is dead is freed from sin. [8] Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: [9] Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
The condemned set free
Once again we meet with one of Paul's favorite words, 'Dikaioo'. Remember, anytime we see 'oo' at the end of a word it means 'transformed into'. In this case, it is transformed into innocence. It means were found guilty - but still released.
Christ invites us to accept his sacrifice for the atonement (at-one-ment) of our sins. By accepting his free gift we share in his death. His death is freedom from sin.
Paul goes further, in his death we are humbled by the extent of his love for us. Yet, it is in his resurrection that we are covered in his glory. How incredible that God would allow his son to die for me! It is akin to the gift of the rescue workers on 9/11 or the Veteran's who gave their lives for the rights of everyone in this country. However, Jesus also rose! He gave his life and he rose from death! He conquered death for the salvation of each one of us.
If we die to our sin by clinging to the Christ - we will rise with him in dominion over death! In other words - death is no longer our Lord - if we cling to Jesus.
Death and dying
The word death [thanatos], is not just the pronouncement of physical demise; the heart stops beating, the lungs stop breathing, the brain stops registering activity. It is the 'Way of Death'!
Remember that sin is 'the wrong path' - the path that leads to ultimate death. A person can be way off the mark - or even just slightly - yet missing the target is missing the target. For example, I might be a great person - but the 'point of life,' the target, is faithfulness. Yes, I must "do justice and love mercy," - but I must also walk humbly with my God [Micah 6:8].
Jesus saves us from the path of death, the way of death. So that, even now, I am not walking on the wrong paths! Paths that are unfruitful and damaging to my relationship with God and my fellowship. Look how the Psalmist writes it:
[Psalm 86:10] For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. [11] Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. [12] I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. [13] For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
This is one of my favorite verses in the entire bible. I recite it every morning when I walk with God. It is the 'right path' the walk that leads to God. There is One God (the Hebrews called this simple prayer 'the Shema'). He will teach me the way and cause me to fear nothing but losing Him. This will unite my heart. The united heart leads to continual praise for His great mercy and deliverance.
If you are feeling at all out of sorts with God, indeed with any part of your life. If your path seems to be leading to sorrow (the fruits of death's dominion) rather than joy. Tuck this little Psalm into your pocket and walk with God today.
Romans 6:9-11
[10] For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. [11] Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Paid In Full
This is a concept that is like breathing to Paul. That Christ's sacrifice, his death, was enough for always. It was enough to cover all of our sins without needing any supplements. Sacrifice doesn't add to what Christ already did - fasting doesn't, self-flagellation does not, neither does our best intentions or best actions. They may add to our prayer life - they may bring us closer to God - but they do not cover our sin. It has been adequately and fully paid for by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
Intrinsic to Paul's writing was passionate encouragement to the Gentile believer and a strong admonition to the Jewish believer.
To the Gentile: Rest in Him! Do not let anyone tell you that it takes more than His sacrifice to free you from the cycle of sin. You have all you need in Him. You need no mediator, no substitute, no additional sacrifice or death. You need Jesus - only Jesus.
To the Jew: Stop it! Quit laying more burdens on the people that Christ has claimed. The law is your weakness - don't make it theirs. The Lord calls us in love - not in the law. To live in the embrace of His love is to live far above the meager to-do's or to-not-do's of the law.
Is there any area of my life that does not claim Jesus is enough? My daily agenda, my finances, my relationship, my sinful patterns?
Is there anyway in which I am trying to make hurdles between others and our Lord? Any subtle ways that I say; "Well, Jesus is enough but…"
But what???
"But… you need to apologize to me first?" "But… you need a mediator to pray for you to Jesus?" "But… you need to dress nicer and be gainfully employed to join the club, er, I mean church."
Lord, free us from the burdens we try to wear ourselves and the shackles we try to put on others. If we are going to wear any yoke - let it be the cross of your sacrifice.
Essentially Paul asks: "Is God, God? Then, what's all this other stuff?"