Set Free By Grace

The Problem of Sin

Many ask, “Now that I am a Christian, why do I still struggle with Sin?”

The reason we struggle with sin as believers is because we are now aware of sin in our lives. Before we naturally gave in to sin.

Adam’s sin brought sin and death to all of humanity.

“As by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” (5:12)

Adam passed his sin nature to all people.

The sin nature is what causes us to sin, it is our natural bent toward sin.

Example of children – no one needs to teach a child to be selfish, but they do have to be taught to be unselfish.

Even Paul said that he struggled with sin.

“The things that I want to do, I don’t do; and the things I don’t want to do, I do.” (7:19)

The Power of Grace

God’s grace declares our freedom from sin.

“That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” (5:21)

God does not intend for us to live in continuous sin.

God’s grace declares us dead to sin.

The meaning of our baptism (6:3-5)

We are dead to the old way of living, buried with Christ

We are alive to God, newness of life.

Our old sin nature was crucified with Christ (6:6)

“I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me. The life that I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20)

It is an exchanged life – not I, but Christ.

The Pattern for Living as a Christian

The pattern is Christ Himself – He yielded himself to God.

He died for sin once, but He now lives to the Glory of the Father.

“Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more” (6:9)

RECKON yourself dead to sin and alive to God (6:11)

Reckon is an accounting term – it means to add or render to an account

Example of balancing a checkbook

We may not FEEL like we are dead to sin, but God’s Word declares it.

Remove obvious temptations from your life.

“Sin shall not have dominion over you, you are not under the law, but under grace.” (6:14)

“Drop the stick” – don’t hold on to what will bite you.

Yield your life to God and your body for His service. vv. 15-19

Engraft God’s Word for daily cleansing and victory.

“…receive with meekness the engrafted word…” (James 1:21)

God’s Word will empower you to live for him.

Application – God’s Word for Specific Problems

Fear of death and harm – “You are my hiding place. You shall preserve me from trouble.” (Psalm 32:7)

Worry over the future – “Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me … I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:1-2)

Anger – “Be ye angry and sin not. Let not the sun go down upon your wrath, neither give place to the devil.” (Eph. 4:26-27)

Gossiping – “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virture, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Phil. 4:8)

Complaining – “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (I Thess. 5:18)

Lust – “Whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matt. 5:28) “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance, but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.” (I Peter 1:14-15)

Pride – “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. … Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and he will lift you up.” (James 4:6 and 10)

Unforgiveness – “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ sake has forgiven you.” (Eph. 4:32)