Obedience is the Hallmark of Repentant Faith

Friend, if you are positionally under grace it will be impossible for you continue in habitual sin. You will still struggle with sin as long as your person is corrupted by sin, but you will not relish SIN!

Why is it impossible for those who are under grace to continue in lifestyle of sin?

Paul gives us several reasons why believers, who are now under grace, cannot continue in habitual sin.

Reason #1: Whatever power you habitually offer yourself to reveals your true master (v. 16)

Romans 6:15–16 ESV

15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?

Why is it impossible for those who are under grace to continue in lifestyle of sin?

Reason #2: The message of the Gospel makes obedience inevitable (v. 17)

Repentant faith leads inevitably to obedience!

Paul’s opponents see the free and overpowering idea of grace, and because they no part in the gospel they scheme to use God’s grace as an excuse to sin. Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! You don’t understand the totality of the message of the gospel.

Romans 6:17 ESV

17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,

Paul gives thanks to God (not to the Roman Christians by the way), but to God! Why? Because as we shall see the salvation of these Romans believers, as it is with ourselves, was entirely a work of God. So, rightly God is the only one who deserves our thanks.

Why does Paul thank God?

Because you who were once slaves of sin have become obedience from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were commited.

In this verse Paul expounds for us one of the most clear and wonderful statements of what it really is to become a Christian.

Paul explains for us three principles that define for us what it really means to be a Christian.

How do you know that you really are a Christian?

Principle #1: A Christian is a person who has undergone a great change.

Romans 6:17 (ESV)

17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient...

There it is! Do you see the great change that Paul describes for the Christian?

Romans 6:17 (CSB)

17 But thank God that, although you used to be slaves of sin, you obeyed

17χάρις δὲ τῷ θεῷ

But thanks be to God

ὅτι ἦτε δοῦλοι τῆς ἁμαρτίας

that though you were slaves to sin

ὑπηκούσατε δὲ ἐκ καρδίας

(instead) you obeyed from the heart

You were slaves to sin- Imperfect tense in the Greek.

Imperfect tense illustration

Why does this matter so much? It makes a very important theological point.

You were slaves of sin, you used to be slaves of sin.

At that time, before you were under grace, you were a different person. You were in a different position. You were constantly and continuously slaves to sin. There was no spiritual life in you. All you actions, all your words, all your thoughts were goverened by your slave master.

Ephesians 2:1–3 ESV

1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Romans 6:17 (ESV)

17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,

This is part of what Paul’s thanks to God is all about- thanks be to God that at one time you were continuously slaves of sin…but now-

Romans 6:17 ESV

17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,

Romans 6:17 (CSB)

17 But thank God that, although you used to be slaves of sin, you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching to which you were handed over,

This verb is in the aorist tense. So I think the CSB has the better translation. It is not you have become obedient. No, the idea is you obeyed. It is speaking of a point in time.

If you are a Christian, there was a point in time when everything changed.

You were once slaves of sin (continuously), and then there was a point in time when everything changed—you obeyed from the heart!

This is what it means to become a Christian. Becoming a Christian is not like a 12 step self-help program. You don’t gradually make some improvements to your life until finally you arrive.

This is how the NT speaks of salvation:

You must be BORN AGAIN! Not you must be improved little by little.

What we need is the miraculous event called regeneration, new birth, we need to become a new creation.

This is what Paul is thanking God for! He looks at the Roman Christians and he says, “Praise God, thanks be to God, you who were slaves to now, at a point in time you went through a monumental changes, you were born again so you obeyed.

Notice the greatness of this change! It is a magnificient change that a person undergoes when they become born again.

Romans 6:17 (ESV)

17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,

Notitia- faith is, first of all, a kind of knowledge. “Standard of teaching”

Assensus- genuine faith acknowledges (assents) that what God says is true. “From the heart”

Fiducia- the final component in saving faith is a personal persuasion that acts. “you obeyed”

Or we could say it this way, when a person becomes a Christian they undergo a great change that effects the entirety of their person—mind, heart, and will. The entire personality is involved.

Christianity does not merely deal with one part of us. Some might have an intellectual understanding of the gospel. They know the truth of the Scripture, but that is all it ever really is. It is no more significant in their life than the morning news paper. It remains merely in their intellect. The change the gospel brings effects more that merely our intellect.

Christianity also does not merely effect the emotions. Some people are only looking to get out of church an emotional experience. They may be moved to tears by a particular song, or dramatic illustration in a sermon, but that is all that is effected. The Gospel effects more that merely your emotions.

It must bring a dramatic change to your thinking, to your heart, and to your will. When you are born again it changes everything about you!

This is why Paul can answer his opponents who say- if we are not under law but under grace shouldn’t we go on sinning. And Paul exclaims- God forbid! I am a Christian. And as a Christian there has been this great change that has taken place within me. I have received the truth of the gospel, it has impacted by heart, and I willingly choose to obey.

Friend, how about you? Do you know that you are a Christian? Can you look at your life and say, “I was”; “I am no longer”? Has there been a great change that has taken place in your life?

Another principle that will help us understand what a Christian is really like is:

Principle #2: A Christian is a person who has a new master who determines the character of their lives.

When someone becomes a Christian there is a complete change of ownership!

Romans 6:17 (ESV)

17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,

Romans 6:18 (ESV)

18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.

Some people are entirely put off of Christianity because they do not want a master- they do not want a Lord. Those people are deceived!

Why? Because everyone is the slave of someone. Paul gives us two categories- slaves of sin or slaves of righteousness.

Notice in v. 18- sinners were never free. Some might say, “I don’t want to become a Christian I want to stay free.” But the truth is they are already slaves. When you become a Christian you are set free from sin. But you are not then free for yourself. Something much better happens. You become slaves of righteousness.

Or you can think about it this way:

Romans 6:20 (ESV)

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

If you are a slave of sin you are free in a sense. You are free in regard to righteousness. When you have sin as your master, he does not allow you to live unto righteousness. Sin as a master makes demands of your life and they have nothing to do with God or with righteousness.

But, let me ask you this- why would anyone want to be free of righteousness?

Well, sin is fun right? Sin is full of pleasure. Being free of righteousness is great right?

Romans 6:21 ESV

21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.

So you can be free in regard to righteousness or:

Romans 6:22 (ESV)

22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.

You can be free in regard to sin and to shame and to death! You can become slaves of God. Why do you want that? Because the fruit of that relationship is sanctification and eternal life!

You are not free in either case! You are either a slave of sin or a slave of God. One leads to shame and death, the other to sanctification and eternal life.

How do you know you are a Christian? What is the definition of a Christian? A Christian is someone who has a new master. Obviously, a person who has undergone such a change knows it and is aware of it.

Friend, do you know to whom you belong? Do you know who is your master? Are you quite certain where you belong? Can you say “I was”; “I am no longer”? Can you say “I was a slave of sin; I am now a slave of God, and of Christ, and of righteousness and holiness.”? This is what makes us a Christian. It is the profoundest greatest change imaginable.

Praise God if you can say that! It ought to make you heart swell within you. I was once a constant slave of sin, but now I am a slave of righteousness and of God.

How does this great change come about? What is it that makes this wonderful change transpire?

Romans 6:17 (ESV)

17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,

Standard- τύπος- a kind, class, or thing that suggests a model or pattern, form, figure, pattern.

This is an important word especially in our theology of disciple-making. Normally this idea of pattern or stamp of mold that makes an impression is used to describe the example of life.

Philippians 3:17 (ESV)

17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

1 Thessalonians 1:7 (ESV)

7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

2 Thessalonians 3:9 (ESV)

9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.

1 Timothy 4:12 (ESV)

12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Titus 2:7 (ESV)

7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,

1 Peter 5:3 (ESV)

3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

Romans 6:17 (ESV)

17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,

Special significance attaches to the use of τύπος in Rom 6:17, where the sense “form that stamps” can still be felt. Here Paul thanks God that the Roman believers have responded with heartfelt obedience to the Christian τύπον διδαχῆς (NRSV, “form of teaching”; NIV, “pattern of teaching”). Previously, sin had determined the character of their lives, but now the new teaching, the message of Christ, is the factor that stamps and determines their conduct. (Used of the nails that left a stamp or impression in the arms and feet of Jesus. The nails left a stamp an impression).

The teaching of Jesus now leaves a stamp upon our lives, it determines the shape of the mold of our lives!

Why is it ludicrous to think that being under grace gives a person license to sin? Because of what a Christian really is!

A Christian is someone with a new master, righteousness and God Himself. Jesus became our new master because we became obedient from the heart the standard of teaching that was committed unto us.

The teaching our our new master leaves a stamp upon our lives, it determines the shape of the mold of our lives. True Christians imitate and become like that mold. They will not continue in sin.

Friends, do you know who your master is? What is it that is leaving its stamp and determining the mold of your life? If you are a Christian it is Jesus and the gospel!

Another principle that will help us understand what a Christian is really like is:

Principle #3: A Christian is a person whose genuine faith results in obedience.

“There is no value whatsoever in a supposed faith that does not lead inevitable to a changed life.” —Lloyd Jones

Romans 6:17 (ESV)

17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,

Why did Paul use the word obedient? Are we saved by means of obedience? Do we become a Christian by means of obedience?

John 3:36 ESV

36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Who is the one that has eternal life according to Jesus? Whoever believes.

Who is the one who shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him? Whoever does not obey the Son.

Why did Jesus use believe in the first part of the verse and obey in the second? If you are using a different translation and you have believe twice, just note that the Greek uses two different words. And I think obey is the better translation.

Why did Paul use the word obedient in Romans 6:17 and Jesus use the word obey in John 3:36?

Because not all faith in Jesus is valid faith! God will not accept all faith as legitimate.

Do you agree with me that there are different kinds of faith some of which are not valid in God’s eyes? Not all faith is saving faith!

James 2:19 ESV

19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

So we must ask ourselves, what kind of faith will God accept as legitimate faith? The answer is only the faith that leads to obedience!

The message of the gospel make obedience inevitable!

Romans 6:17 ESV

17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,

The Roman Christians became obedient from the heart to what? The standard of teaching to which they were committed.

They exercised saving repent faith. Their faith involved knowledge of the teachings of Jesus.

Go back and read Romans up until this point. Paul has spent five chapters teaching the exactly what the mold of Jesus’ teaching looked like.

The standard of teaching from Paul tells us about the terrible character of sin, about our appalling position as slaves of sin, and under the wrath of God, as hell-bound sinners. They received this knowledge.

But then the acknowledged it was true of them personally. Their obedience was not external, it was from the heart. When they did that it immediately produced a hatred of sin, a horror of sin, an alarm about the results of sin, and a desire to get away from sin.

Finally they exercised their will in their faith- they became obedient to that standard of teaching. Their faith resulted in obedience. That is true repentant faith. Salvation is not merely about being forgiven of all your sins. You cannot only preach that message. You must preach repentance. You must preach the horrors of sin that it leads only to shame and death.

Invite people to turn from that sin and turn to Christ in repentance faith. Follow Christ, obey him. That is what genuine faith does. It results in obedience.

How about you. Did you perhaps make a profession of faith in Christ, and thought “now I can go back to my old life of sin”?

One more thing about the obedience of a Christian, that is based on mind, heart, and will. His obedience will not be grudging or hesitant. The true Christian rejoices in serving God; he lives to His glory and praise.

1 John 5:3 ESV

3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

“Not grudging, not feeling that it is narrow, not trying to live as near as you can to the world, and to that old life of sin, and feeling it is a pity that the Gospel is so stringent in its demands! No, that is not Christianity! A man who fells like that is a man who is not saved.” —Lloyd Jones

What is obedience like for a Christian?

2 Corinthians 5:15 ESV

15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

The Christian is a willing slave, a happy slave, the bondservant of Jesus Christ, and his supreme desire is to live to the praise of the glory of God and of His dear Son who came into the world on account of our sins, that we might be rescued and redeemed.

Shall we who are no longer under law, but under grace continue in sin? Absolutely not! We are Christians. There has been a profound change that has taken place inside of us. We were the salve of sin, but now we have a new master and a new mold shaping our lives. This has all resulted in an obedience that comes from our hearts.

Are you a Christian?

Are you living in life dominated by sin?

Can you identify with the person the Apostle Paul has described for us in this text?

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