Romans 6:1-2
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
Thoughts for Today:
In our passage today is God's answer to whether or not we should continue to live in sin once we are saved: "By no means!" "Of course not!" "God forbid!" Or -- "You've got to be kidding!"
There are two concepts in the Bible that many of us have difficulty understanding: they are related to justification and sanctification. It is the difference between just being saved and being made into the kind of people we should be because we are set apart by God. "You are to be holy to me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own." (Leviticus 20:26)
Justification is an act; sanctification is a work of the Holy Spirit. Justification happened for us the day we accepted and trusted Jesus -- we were declared righteous and our guilty verdict was over-turned. Then God began a work in us that continues to this day. Justification is instant; however sanctification is a lifelong process. Justification is the means; sanctification is the end. Justification declares the sinner righteous; sanctification makes the sinner righteous. Justification removes the guilt and penalty of sin; sanctification removes the growth and power of sin.
Many Christians try to fight sin by preaching what I call the "don'ts" -- don't do this and don't do that. However, Paul's method was something Bible scholars call "positional sanctification." In other words, know where you stand in Jesus -- your new identity (verses 3-5); know you have liberty by the cross of Jesus (verses 6-15); and know some things about Jesus' own heart and what's important to Him (verses 16-23).
There are two concepts in the Bible that many of us have difficulty understanding: they are related to justification and sanctification. It is the difference between just being saved and being made into the kind of people we should be because we are set apart by God. "You are to be holy to me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own." (Leviticus 20:26)
Justification is an act; sanctification is a work of the Holy Spirit. Justification happened for us the day we accepted and trusted Jesus -- we were declared righteous and our guilty verdict was over-turned. Then God began a work in us that continues to this day. Justification is instant; however sanctification is a lifelong process. Justification is the means; sanctification is the end. Justification declares the sinner righteous; sanctification makes the sinner righteous. Justification removes the guilt and penalty of sin; sanctification removes the growth and power of sin.
Many Christians try to fight sin by preaching what I call the "don'ts" -- don't do this and don't do that. However, Paul's method was something Bible scholars call "positional sanctification." In other words, know where you stand in Jesus -- your new identity (verses 3-5); know you have liberty by the cross of Jesus (verses 6-15); and know some things about Jesus' own heart and what's important to Him (verses 16-23).
Questions to Ponder:
Paul states: "We died to sin,"
then asks: "How can we live in it any longer?"
What sin are you keeping around?
What areas of your life can still use some work?
We know sanctification is a lifelong process --
has it continued or have you stopped growing in Christ?
has it continued or have you stopped growing in Christ?
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