Romans 6:15-23 September 12, Standing in the Security of His Grace A Change of Masters

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1 Romans 6:15-23 September 12, 2015 Standing in the Security of His Grace A Change of Masters Introduction: In this section Paul will address a second objection to His message of justification by faith an act of divine initiative and grace. In 1-14 responds to an objection that the abundance of grace encourages sin. Shouldn t we keep sinning so grace can abound more? In responds to a similar objection by comparing the flip side of their freedom from sin: slavery to God and to righteousness. Slave imagery dominates the paragraph. Paul will emphasize that the freedom the believer has is from sin and NOT a freedom to sin. Paul steers a careful course between legalism and license. Begins with the question of 6:15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Romans 6:15 NKJV Compare to 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Romans 6:1 NKJV In both Paul asks should the grace of God lead to sin? In 6:1 sinning in order to gain more grace. In 6:15 sinning because of grace. In direct response to 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:14 NKJV Those joined to Christ live in grace NOT under the law Believer s conduct no longer regulated by law In the Jewish mind a law-less society fosters sin. Paul would say to that God forbid! Argument of this paragraph goes like this: Sinning because we are no longer bound by the law is incompatible with the Christian life. We will all be slaves to something either sin or righteousness. Which we are a slave to depends upon our choice who will we present ourselves to for use? 1

2 Greater than the ungodly fruit that emerged from our ungodly lives is the good fruit that is produced by a life yielded to His will and righteousness. Digging a little deeper 5 important facts that emerge from this paragraph. I. The MYTH of human autonomy. Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? Romans 6:16 NKJV A. One is NEVER free from a master there is no possibility of neutrality. 1. Those who think they are autonomous are under an illusion sustained by Satan. 2. The choice is not should I retain my freedom or give it up and submit to God but rather, should I serve sin or God? 3. One or the other will be my master. B. Pride in one s personal liberty only reveals our personal bondage. 1. When you felt fee the standards of righteousness, you were still slaves to sin. 2. Sin was your master free, deaf, and blind to the will of God and His desires. 3. NOTE: Not a failure to know right from wrong but an inability to do what is right. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. James 1:14-15 NKJV Illustration #1 Radio personality Paul Harvey tells the story of how an Eskimo kills a wolf. The account is grisly, yet it offers fresh insight into the consuming, self-destructive nature of sin. "First, the Eskimo coats his knife blade with animal blood and allows it to freeze. Then he adds another layer of blood, and another, until the blade is completely concealed by frozen blood. "Next, the hunter fixes his knife in the ground with the blade up. When a wolf follows his sensitive nose to the source of the scent and discovers the bait, he licks it, tasting the fresh frozen blood. He begins to lick faster, more and more vigorously, lapping the blade until the keen edge is bare. Feverishly now, harder and harder the wolf licks the blade in the arctic night. So great becomes his craving for blood that the wolf does not notice the razor-sharp sting of the naked blade on his own tongue, nor does he recognize the instant at which his insatiable thirst is being satisfied by his OWN warm blood. His carnivorous appetite just craves more--until the dawn finds him dead in the snow!" 2

3 It is a fearful thing that people can be "consumed by their own lusts." Only God's grace keeps us from the wolf's fate. NOTE: Addicts with ruined lives Can even be a slave to a negative attitude Un-forgiveness Bitter II. The REALITY of human frailty. 6:19a I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh NOTE: This verse explains why Paul is using slavery language to depict the Christian life. See it refers to both 6:18, 20. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. Romans 6:18 NKJV Why the slavery analogy? Weakness of your flesh. A. Intellectual Reason: (poor ability to comprehend the ways of God with human intelligence) B. Spiritual Reason: (poor ability to understand spiritual truth) C. Moral Reason: Human tendency to live independently thinking we are free from or need no one. YOU ARE A SLAVE! III. The MOMENT of the believer s liberty. (v. 17, 18, 20) Look at in reverse order A. Our pre-conversion position 1. Those apart from Christ did have a kind of freedom. 2. Freedom in respect to only one thing righteousness. 3. No ability to do righteously. B. Paul s description of conversion for the believer But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. Romans 6:17 NKJV 3

4 1. Transfer of allegiance 2. Obeyed form of doctrine obedience to Christ 3. Bowed knee to the Lord Jesus Christ 4. To which you were delivered handed over slave imagery again 5. NOTE: Paul making a point of transfer of authority from sin to the Word of God C. This freedom leads to a new master And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. Romans 6:18 NKJV IV. The CALL to personal responsibility. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. Romans 6:19b NKJV A. We should pursue godliness with the same passion we did ungodliness. B. We should pursue holiness with the same zeal we pursued other less worthy goals. 1. Christianity NOT just anti-hell insurance. 2. Study, grow, pray, develop 3. Become MORE godly fruitful! V. The FRUIT of the believer s destiny (21-22) A. Pre-Christian situation For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. Romans 6:20-21 NKJV 1. You were freed to righteousness 2. But the fruit of that is now ashamed of what fruit was borne 3. Many struggle to get over the shame of their old life 4. Ultimate end is death B. Christian destiny But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. Romans 6:22 NKJV 1. Fruit to holiness 2. Lives of sanctification 3. Regret everlasting life 4

5 Conclusion: 3 Contrasts Martin Lloyd Jones 1. Master that is served: sin vs. God 2. Outcome of that service: death vs. eternal life 3. Means by which outcome is received: a wage vs. a gift received 5