Right in God s Sight Paul s Letter to the Romans

Transcription

1 Right in God s Sight Paul s Letter to the Romans Romans 6:15-23 Inductive Discovery Lesson 8 Since God s grace sets us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Paul, didn t you already answer that question? A good communicator (for that matter, a good listener) appreciates the time it takes for a message to sink in. Say it again. Approach it from another direction. Sketch one more picture. This is what Paul does in the second half of chapter six. You are free from the power of sin by God s grace, Paul says. Now you have a choice. Whose slave will you be? Background Because a picture is worth a thousand words, Paul used an illustration that any Roman could easily understand. At the time of Paul s writing, nearly half of Rome s population was either slaves or former slaves. Our image of slavery is strongly influenced by our own history, but there are differences worth noting. Roman slaves and masters were generally from the same ethnic background; race did not distinguish who was a slave it was determined by economic status. Some became slaves against their will (e.g., war captives), some were born slaves, and some chose slavery as a means of survival. A man might earn his freedom, but choose to remain in his master s service out of necessity. Even free men were forced into unfavorable occupations. Roman society had virtually no middle-class, since blue-collar jobs were done by slaves. This left the common man with few options. In a first-century version of welfare, wealthy men were expected to support as many lower-class people as they could afford. He became their patron/protector and they became his client. Clients were expected to create a fanfare when their patron went out in public (as a sign of his status) and provide noisy support when he went to court (to sway the jury in his favor). In return, the patron doled out small daily allowances and provided meals. This arrangement was personally demeaning but seemed inescapable. Needless to say, Paul s slavery illustration would strike a familiar chord in the ears of his listeners. Romans 6:15-23 Read through the passage one time without interruption. Read it again, using a different translation if possible. Briefly describe in your own words what Paul is saying. 1

2 Working Text for Romans 6:15-23 English Standard Version (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? 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, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. 20 When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? The end of those things is death. 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. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishing. Used by permission. 2

3 Write down your OBSERVATIONS Read the section and record what you see. Use the first column to keep track of what you find in the Bible passage. (Who? What? When? Where?) Circle repeated words and phrases. Use the second column to record information you gather from other sources such as a dictionary, concordance, maps, etc. You can also use this section to jot down your thoughts, impressions or questions that come to mind. Do your best to follow Paul s train of thought. Does he emphasize a particular topic? Are his words urgent? Encouraging? Commanding? What issues or problems does he address? What questions does he ask? Romans 6:15-19 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: Romans 6:20-23 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: 3

4 Key Words and Phrases Key words and phrases help us understand the main point the writer wants to make. How do we recognize key words and phrases? Here are some simple things to look for. When you see a word or phrase repeated, you can be sure Paul is using it to make his point. In Romans, Paul frequently quotes Old Testament scripture to support his point. You may find some key words there. If you are unfamiliar with a word or its meaning, it becomes a key word for you. Take time to learn the definition so you will understand how it is being used in the sentence. List any key words and phrases you found in Romans 6:1-14 Write the definition of the following words or phrases. Use a regular dictionary or a concordance with a Greek Dictionary if you have one. slaves (vs.16-20, 22) of sin of righteousness fruit to holiness (vs.22) wages of sin (vs.23) 4

5 INTERPRETATION What does it mean? Look for a spiritual lesson. Be careful not to read into the Bible an idea that is not there. Examine each verse in light of the verses around it. To help you find a spiritual lesson, ask questions such as, Is there a command to obey? A promise to claim? A condition to that promise? Is there a warning to heed? An example to follow or avoid? State the lesson in one simple sentence. APPLICATION How does it apply to me? We don t study the Bible just to gather information we want to spiritually grow. Our heart needs to be open to change. The only way to move truth off the pages of your Bible and into your life is to put it into action. To apply a spiritual lesson, we must examine ourselves and take deliberate steps to do something with what we have learned. Ask yourself: Is this a new insight for me, or does it reinforce what I already know? What does it challenge me to do? Does it point out error in my attitude or actions? What changes does it require? Think of how the lesson relates to you and what specific course of action you will take. Write your application in the form of a question to make it personal. Romans 6:15-19 Lesson: Application: Romans 6:20-23 Lesson: Application: Summary Write a simple sentence that summarizes what the passage is about. Give a title to the chapter that will help you personally to remember it. 5

6 Take a Closer Look Thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. Romans 6:17-18 NAS Memorize Choose the translation you prefer to memorize from and re-write the verse here. Meditate Look up. What does this verse teach you about God? (For example, look for signs of His character, His attributes, His works, His promises.) Look around. What does this verse teach you about the world and people in general? Look within. What does this verse teach you about yourself? Look ahead. Does this verse give you reason to hope? Briefly share your thoughts. Look alive! Given the opportunity, how would you express the truth found in this verse to someone who needs to hear it? 6

7 Make it a Prayer As you memorize and meditate on this verse, pray it back to the Lord. Let the Holy Spirit examine your heart, increase your understanding, and help you to pray. Ask Him for faith and strength to act on the truth of God s Word. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 1 John 5:14-15 NASB God s Word Bearing Fruit For you, personally, what has been the most important lesson from this study? How will you put what God has shown you into practice? Something to Think About... God s purpose in redeeming men from sin is not to give them freedom to do as they please but freedom to do as He pleases, which is to live righteously. 1 - John MacArthur - 1 John MacArthur, MacArthur N.T. Commentary, Romans , The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, p

8 Message Notes: 2007 Leah Case, All Rights Reserved 8