This past week I finished reading the book of Romans and began the book of 1st Corinthians. The more I read the New Testament the more I really relate to the New Testament churches that Paul and the other disciples were writing to. Looking at history and reading God’s word, the older I get the more I am convinced that humans are the same and cannot by intellect, education, technology or financial resources transcend their fallen state.
Romans 3:23
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
I really relate to Paul’s letter to Church at Rome because it is so fundamental and foundational to our salvation through the precious blood of Jesus Christ and our daily walk with God.
I want to challenge each of you this week to read the book of Romans. There are 16 chapters. If you read just two chapters a day, then in 8 days you will have read the entire book of Romans and I believe God will minister the truth of his word greatly in your life.
***This morning when I was waking up the Lord impressed on my spirit Romans 6:1-2
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?
When we see the question by Paul in verse #1 we have to go back to the previous statements to understand what he is referring to as the basis for his question. He has made the argument in the previous chapter of some spiritual facts presented. Based on these facts he is asking the question that will have an impact on the actions of the audience moving forward.
It is important to understand when we are reading God’s word who the audience is and what is the intent and application of the scripture:
***Listen to how Paul explains it to Timothy…..
2 Timothy 3:14-17
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
John 6:63-66
63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
1 John 2:25-28
25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
John 14:23-26
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
****Point #1 of the message: God’s word should be read and applied to your life with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
***It was a few years ago I saw a post on facebook that said: I can do all things with a scripture taken out of context. People often “cherry pick” a verse they like and apply it to their life and situation without study and seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit. Here is how Paul exhorted Timothy in this matter:
2 Timothy 2:15
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
ὀρθοτομέω orthotoméō, or-thot-om-eh'-o; from a compound of G3717 and the base of G5114, to make a straight cut, i.e. (figuratively) to dissect (expound) correctly (the divine message):—rightly divide.
****Point #1 of the message: God’s word should be read and applied to your life with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
**Lets go back to Key Verse Romans 6:1-2
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?
***We arrive at Roman’s 6:1 following Romans chapter 5 where Paul explains the results of our justification in Christ Jesus. Here are some key points we learn from chapter 5:
- We are justified by faith and have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
- We have access to the grace of God and the Hope of the Glory of God.
- We are not bothered by Tribulation because we know it works patience in our lives.
- This patience gives us experience. The experience gives us Hope.
- We have this hope for our future because the love of God fills our hearts by the Holy Ghost
- We could not fix ourselves, but because of God’s great love for you and me Christ came and did what only he could do to fix us.
- Rom 5:8 - But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
- We are justified by the blood of Jesus and saved from future Judgement
- Jesus blood gives the free gift of salvation that is for everyone.
- Just as in Adam’s sin all are dead, In Christ’s sacrifice all can be made alive.
***Look at Roman’s 5:18-21
Romans 5:18-21
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 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?
***2nd point of the message: God’s grace is not a license for you to continue to willfully sin.
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.
***Point #3 When we are saved, we crucify our old man which brings freedom from 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.
Galatians 2:16-21
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
****Point #1 of the message: God’s word should be read and applied to your life with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
***2nd point of the message: God’s grace is not a license for you to continue to willfully sin.
***Point #3: When we are saved, we crucify our old man which brings freedom from sin.
***Lets go back to Romans 6 and pick up at verse 11***
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
***Point #4: Before and after salvation you maintain full control of your body.
*** you see verse 13 says do not yield your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin. Listen to this scripture in the Amplified Bible Translation:
13 Do not continue offering or yielding your bodily members [and [a]faculties] to sin as instruments (tools) of wickedness. But offer and yield yourselves to God as though you have been raised from the dead to [perpetual] life, and your bodily members [and [b]faculties] to God, presenting them as implements of righteousness.
***Listen to how James describes this scenario:
James 1:12-18
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
***Back to Romans 6:14***
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
****Point #5 of the Message today: You will be the servant to whatever you yield power and control of your body.
*** Look at verse 16 again: 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Back to verse 19 of Romans 6
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
**** Point #6: The fruit of your life will either be Death or Life depending on who you chose to serve.
In Closing:
****I need you to understand this spiritual truth. I will say it as plainly as possibly can: You cannot be good enough to ever earn your salvation. Salvation is a free gift that Jesus paid for you.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
But the decision you make on who will be Lord of your life is your willful choice to make. God’s grace and gift of salvation does not override your free will on who you choose to yield your members (body). You have to choose everyday if you will resurrect your old, dead man that was buried with Christ in Baptism and be subject to the law of sin and death again. You have to choose who and what you yield your members……because to whoever you yield your member that is who you will serve.
2 Corinthians 5:16-18
16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
Galatians 2:20-21
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Romans 8
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
****Point #1 of the message: God’s word should be read and applied to your life with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
***2nd point of the message: God’s grace is not a license for you to continue to willfully sin.
***Point #3: When we are saved, we crucify our old man which brings freedom from sin.
***Point #4: Before and after salvation you maintain full control of your body.
****Point #5 of the Message today: You will be the servant to whatever you yield power and control of your body.
**** Point #6: The fruit of your life will either be Death or Life depending on who you chose to serve.