Does God's grace mean we should sin more?
Romans • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 5 viewsObj: Christians would actively participate with the Holy Spirit in their sanctification by considering themselves dead to sin but alive to God.
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A. God’s grace doesn’t mean we should sin more. (v.1-2)
A. God’s grace doesn’t mean we should sin more. (v.1-2)
(1) What shall we say then
1. In response to 5:20-21.
Paul’s been talking about the results of justification by faith and now begins to address an issue that people would have wondered about:
If we’re saved only by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, what’s the purpose of the Law of God?
a) Paul touches on the answer in <5:20-21> and develops it further in 7:7-12. (cf. Gal 3:19)
The Law of God shows us our need for God.
2. The question in 6:1 is likely one that Paul had been confronted with many times.
a) Someone might hear Paul’s teaching on grace and say, “Well, if the Law of God stirs up a passion in us to rebel against God, and then God responds by giving grace rather than wrath.”
“And as God gives grace, He’s glorified and praised because of His kindness, then why not go out and commit more sin so God gives more grace and in this He receives more praise?”
b) That’s why Paul is so emphatic in his statement in 6:2.
but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;
Christians have “died” to sin, therefore we won’t continue to live in sin.
We’re not justified by God and then we go back to life as it was.
This is why Paul says toward the end of v.4 that we’re to “walk in the newness of life.”
Why is that?
1. Christians have been united with Christ. (v.3-5)
1. Christians have been united with Christ. (v.3-5)
a) “baptized” -Not teaching that we’re saved through baptism.
In the minds of the early church being a Christian and not being baptized was unthinkable.
b) Christians have been united with Christ because of His sacrifice.
and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
c) Therefore, because we’re united with Christ, believers are to “walk in the newness of life.”
“…grace cannot possibly lead believers to sin more because by dying with Christ the power of sin had been definitively broken.” Thomas Schreiner, Romans Commentary, p.312
2. Christians have been set free from the bondage of sin. (6-7)
2. Christians have been set free from the bondage of sin. (6-7)
a) The “old self was crucified” with Jesus.
The “old self” is the condemned person Jesus talks about.
Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.
b) Jesus set you free from the bondage of sin.
i. Sin is bondage. (6b)
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.
ii. Don’t choose to go back into the bondage of sin. (7)
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
If you’re not a Christian, the power of sin is your master and he forces you to submit as he beats you with the stick of your own desires.
This is the mark of the unbeliever.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
3. Christians live with Christ. (v.8-11)
3. Christians live with Christ. (v.8-11)
a) Because Christians have shared in Jesus’ death, we share in His resurrection. (8)
Looks toward the future resurrection while recognizing that to a degree we already enjoy some of the benefits of being united with Christ.
The joy of knowing God.
The Holy Spirit’s presence and work.
Certainty about the future.
b) The dominion of death has ended. (9-10)
i. (5:17) Death was the consequence of Adam’s transgression.
When Jesus died, He paid the penalty for sin.
When the Father and Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead, they declared that the power of sin was broken and the penalty for sin satisfied.
c) Being united with Christ in His death and resurrection also means you’ve been enabled to “walk in the newness of life.” (4c)
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Since v.1-10 is true, Christians are “dead to sin but alive to God.” (11)
B. Christians are to grow in the likeness of Jesus Christ.
B. Christians are to grow in the likeness of Jesus Christ.
Paul’s talking about sanctification in c.6-8.
Sanctification means being made into the image of Christ as we continually cast off the practice of sin.
Sanctification means being made into the image of Christ as we continually cast off the practice of sin.
“In Romans 6, Paul says that the believer has died to the dominion of sin, but sin has not yet been fully banished in their life. However, one day this will be so.” -Sinclair Ferguson
“In Romans 6, Paul says that the believer has died to the dominion of sin, but sin has not yet been fully banished in their life. However, one day this will be so.” -Sinclair Ferguson
a) This transformation is a work of the Holy Spirit.
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
b) This is also a work that the Christian participates in.
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,
Application for unbelievers: If the continuing pattern of your life is unrepentant sin, you should question as to whether you are in the faith.
Application for Christians: Look in your bulletin where we’ve printed a portion of the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith.
Chapter 13- Sanctification
Paragraph 1. Those who are united to Christ and effectually called and regenerated have a new heart and a new spirit created in them through the power of Christ’s death and resurrection. They are also further sanctified, really and personally,1 through the same power, by his Word and Spirit dwelling in them.2 The dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed,3 and the various evil desires that arise from it are more and more weakened and put to death.4 At the same time, those called and regenerated are more and more enlivened and strengthened in all saving graces 5 so that they practice true holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.6
1 Acts 20:32; Romans 6:5, 6. 2 John 17:17; Ephesians 3:16–19; 1 Thessalonians 5:21–23. 3 Romans 6:14. 4 Galatians 5:24. 5 Colossians 1:11. 6 2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14.
God’s grace doesn’t mean you should sin more.
God’s grace means you have been set free from the bondage of sin and are enabled by the grace of God to grow in sanctification.
In your devotional time this week, meditate on this paragraph and consider how this truth should be applied to your life.