WHY A CHRISTIAN DOES NOT LIVE IN SIN
(Romans 6)
INTRODUCTION
A. In the last half of Romans 5 Paul summarizes the doctrines of grace/faith-righteousness & law/works-righteousness. Adam represents humanity when it goes the way of law & Christ represents humanity when it goes the way of grace. One of the points Paul made was that the way of Adam calls for more law, but that only multiplied man’s trespasses. Thankfully, God’s grace is greater than man multiples sins (Rom.5:20).
B. Since God’s grace is greater than however many sins man might commit, then what will keep man from sinning? This question is asked & answered in Romans chapter six.
I. THE QUESTIONS
A. Throughout his letter to the Romans, Paul used the question & answer method of teaching. The questions in this section of verses are designed to address the reason why a Christian no longer lives a sin-dominated life.
B. Paul’s questions are revealing.
a. shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? – reminds us that grace is superior to any number of sin
b. shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? – reminds us that the Christian is not under a system of keeping legal demands for his being right with God
C. Important point: Two ways you can tell the difference between the true gospel & the “another” gospel is this:
a. the perverted gospel never evokes these questions Paul asked because it is presented as a law of when you sin you die
b. slander comes from those of the legal view (Rom.3:8)
II. WHAT KEEPS A CHRISTIAN FROM LIVING A SIN DOMINATED LIFE
A. Paul presents 2 reasons why a Christian does not live a sin-dominated life.
a. our death to sin (Rom.6:2)
b. our release from the old master & union with a new master (Rom.6:22)
B. First, consider the logical implication of our having died to sin.
a. if one dies to something they logically do not live in it any longer
b. we died to sin when we entered into union with Jesus (Rom.6:3-14)
a. we identified ourselves with what Jesus’ death stood for
b. we have likewise identified ourselves with what Jesus’ life stands for
C. And second, consider the logical implication of our loyalty (Rom.6:15-23).
a. one does not keep serving a master from whom he sought & received release
b. our reenactment of what Jesus did was the point of our changing masters
c. our new master calls us unto holy living
d. fruit borne when we serve sin consists of shameful things
e. fruit borne from serving God results in good things
f. old master sin pays terribly
g. new master God pays with everlasting life
CONCLUSION
The true gospel evokes questions about what will keep a Christian from living in habitual sin. The reasons a Christian does not is 1) because of the logical implication of his decision to unite with Christ & 2) the logical implication of his release from an old tyrant & his new relationship to a new & great master.