Sin...Because Grace.
ROMANS: THE ROAD NOW TAKEN • Sermon • Submitted
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· 4 viewsSermon 17 in Book of Romans series.
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What then? Should we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? Absolutely not!
INTRO—
Have you ever…asked a question of your boss, your teacher, your parent—and not gotten an answer you liked? As a boss, teacher, or parent—have you ever been teaching someone (or needing to teach), and anticipated a response…& the end-a-round response?
That’s what I think we see Paul doing here. When teaching a biblical truth which cannot be adjusted—better word is compromised—Paul anticipates a response and the consequent response if someone one would ask/say, “Well then, how about this?”
In response number two, which Paul anticipates in Romans 6.15, the ‘this’ this time is...
What then? Should we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? Absolutely not!
OK, we shouldn’t sin (more, continue in) in order to receive/have more grace. BUT, couldn’t we say that we can sin (or be ok in sinning) because we are not subject to the law but are under grace? I’m ok no matter what I do—including sinning—because…grace.
Well, Paul’s answer is no less ambiguous and no less emphatic than was his answer to the first question: ME GENIOTO!! [ABSOLUTELY NOT!!]
As we continue along with Paul in this teaching moment, he switches from a primarily theological argument (baptism) to a more general illustration (an analogy) to help show his audience (which includes you and me) why this second response to his statements relating to Romans 5.16, 21; 6.14 is a definite “NO WAY EVER!”
His analogy, brings us to a point of consideration along the lines of that mentioned by the estimable theologian, Bob Dylan, when we see in verses 16-19...
YOU GOTTA SERVE SOMEBODY! [Romans 6.16-19]
Everybody (without exception) is a servant…a slave.
Just to briefly recap…Paul is not in this discussion offering a commentary on all forms of slavery (either pro or con). He is using a poignant analogous illustration primarily drawn from debtors slavery or indentured servitude (This is why we see the language of ‘wages’ in this passage).
“Offer” [Romans 5.16]
They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption, since people are enslaved to whatever defeats them.
Jesus responded, “Truly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.
The Important Exchange/Transition [Romans 6.17-19]
A slave does not remain in the household forever, but a son does remain forever. So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.
Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!
WAGES & BENEFITS. [Romans 6.20-23]
Slave of Sin (vv. 20-21) =
Free from righteousness
Fruit of the flesh
Payment is death.
Slave of Righteousness (vv. 22-23) =
Free from sin.
Fruit of the Spirit. (Sanctification)
Benefit is eternal life.
because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.
Which shows the importance of Paul’s response in relationship to 6.15. Essentially how could (or why would) anyone who is a servant of God want to return to receiving the wages/benefits of being a servant of sin?
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.