Romans 6
May Memory Verse: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
Read: Romans 6
A proper understanding of the Gospel and of the Christian life is built on a correct view of GRACE. This is what Paul is addressing in Romans 6.
Mercy is not giving someone something they deserve. Grace takes it a step further. It is giving someone something that they don’t deserve. When it comes to Jesus we have been shown both mercy and grace to the nth degree. Because of Jesus, God does not give us what we deserve - judgement… and gives us what we don’t deserve - a relationship with Him and eternity with Him in heaven.
This leads us to Paul’s big idea… A PROPER UNDERSTANDING OF GRACE LEADS TO A LIFE THAT PURSUES HOLINESS.
Look at verse 1. He is telling them - Grace is not an excuse to continue to live in sin. If that is our perspective of grace then we don’t understand grace. Grace is instead the means and motivation of holiness. The grace of God makes us righteous in His sight but also gives us the fuel to pursue Him back.
Grace makes us different. It makes us new (v. 4, 2 Corinthians 5:17). This leads us to take action. It leads us to put sin to death. It leads us to run after God with everything in us. Read what Paul says again in light of this in verses 12-14…
Then Paul reminds them of the freedom that grace brings… Biblical freedom (v.15-23). Biblical freedom is not a liberty to do whatever you want… It's the liberty to pursue God back. Before we were slaves to sin. Sin was in control. When grace comes on the scene we are still slaves… we are just slaves to something good… we are slaves to righteousness, to God Himself.
How has a correct view of grace motivated pursuing God in your life? What else sticks out to you from Romans 6? Comment below!
By: Nick Parsons
Read: Romans 6
A proper understanding of the Gospel and of the Christian life is built on a correct view of GRACE. This is what Paul is addressing in Romans 6.
Mercy is not giving someone something they deserve. Grace takes it a step further. It is giving someone something that they don’t deserve. When it comes to Jesus we have been shown both mercy and grace to the nth degree. Because of Jesus, God does not give us what we deserve - judgement… and gives us what we don’t deserve - a relationship with Him and eternity with Him in heaven.
This leads us to Paul’s big idea… A PROPER UNDERSTANDING OF GRACE LEADS TO A LIFE THAT PURSUES HOLINESS.
Look at verse 1. He is telling them - Grace is not an excuse to continue to live in sin. If that is our perspective of grace then we don’t understand grace. Grace is instead the means and motivation of holiness. The grace of God makes us righteous in His sight but also gives us the fuel to pursue Him back.
Grace makes us different. It makes us new (v. 4, 2 Corinthians 5:17). This leads us to take action. It leads us to put sin to death. It leads us to run after God with everything in us. Read what Paul says again in light of this in verses 12-14…
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
Then Paul reminds them of the freedom that grace brings… Biblical freedom (v.15-23). Biblical freedom is not a liberty to do whatever you want… It's the liberty to pursue God back. Before we were slaves to sin. Sin was in control. When grace comes on the scene we are still slaves… we are just slaves to something good… we are slaves to righteousness, to God Himself.
How has a correct view of grace motivated pursuing God in your life? What else sticks out to you from Romans 6? Comment below!
By: Nick Parsons
3 Comments
Many years ago I read a book called Every Man's Battle. The book was written by two Christian men who struggled with sexual sin and pornography for many years. As I read Romans 6 today, this verse stood out to me.
13a) Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness
God has given me the opportunity to use this book in discipleship with a number of young men struggling with sexual sin. Each time I read, or review, the book I'm reminded of Romans 6. It is a constant battle that lasts a lifetime. We must be immersed in God's word and prayer to shield ourselves from the flaming arrows of Satan that Pastor Tim talked about last Sunday. The full armor of God (Ephesians 6) is our only defense.
How has a correct view of grace motivated pursuing God in your life? I like Dietrich Bonhoeffer's quote regarding "cheap grace".
Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession...Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.
Grace was not cheap. We must never forget the price Jesus paid, and live to bring Him glory.
Such a clear and beautiful layout of chapter 6, Nick. I am always stunned at the grace God provides and offers us. I just shake my head, being so aware of my undeserving state. God truly demonstrates love in a way that no natural man ever could. I am so grateful with every breath that I take.
Great job with Romans 6! I love this chapter. It explains baptism so well, and gives such a clear understanding of the new life that Grace provides.