Romans 6
Sanctification
Chapters 6, 7 and 8 form the next subsection of the Book of Romans. These chapters deal with - i. freedom from sin (chapter 6) ii. freedom from law (7) iii. freedom from death
Paul has now turned his attention from the doctrine of justification to a doctrine of sanctification. The process through which believers grow in maturity in Christ. In Paul's pattern of writing, theology comes first. Then the exhortation comes.
Chapter 6 verses 1-10 is theology and verses 11-23: practical application.
“Count yourselves dead to sin and alive to Christ.” (Romans 6:11)
God has already done just that - that's the doctrine of justification. We must do the same thing with respect to our own life - that's the doctrine of sanctification. It's subsequent to our conversion experience. We have to count ourselves dead to sin, and walk away from it. We must not be like the dog who does not realize that the chain is not tied down to a bolt, and in fact he is free to run. But he lives with the false awareness that he is tied down to the chain.
“It is no longer I that lives but Christ that lives in me.” - There are crisis points in our sanctification. b) “…keep on being filled with the Spirit…” Sanctification is an ongoing process also.
Baptism
1) Romans 6 contains the clearest teaching on baptism, an ordinance. You have to be identified with Christ.
2) It means being united with Christ. It's a testimony to anyone who watches.
3) Only those who have entered into a relationship with Christ should be baptized.
4) Baptism by immersion is the most appropriate, though not the only, ode of baptism, because of the symbolism. How to be baptized is not important when compared to who should be baptized.
Romans Chapter 6 has one simple idea: “Take that life that was once a slave to sin and make it now an instrument of righteousness, because now you really are free from the power of sin - free to be holy!”
Romans 7
Freedom from sin
This is one of the most controversial chapters in the Bible.
The whole theme of Chapter 6 was “freedom from sin.” We are free to chose righteousness. Though we are free to live for Christ, somehow, we don't live out that freedom. The first part of Chapter 7 - “freedom from the law.” he summarizes all that he has discussed about the law - a) Romans 3:20 - “Through the law we become conscious of our sin.” b) Romans 5 - The law exposes sin, defines it, and makes us understand our guilt. c) Romans 4:15 - “The law brings wrath…” d) Romans 5:20 - The law actually increased the law-breaking.
Before Christ, justification comes through the law. Keeping the law is a precondition for holiness or acceptance from God. Now it is not a matter of keeping the law - but maintaining a relationship with Christ. And that's all that matters. Christianity is not about keeping rules - but about knowing Jesus.
The second half (7:14-25) of Romans 7 describes the struggle inside us. Paul is writing in the first person and it sounds autobiographical. Some scholars cannot fathom the possibility that Paul is writing autobiographically. They count it for the dramatic nature of the passage - that Paul just wanted to dramatize things. And they content that Paul is not writing autobiographically. When Paul writes in other passages autobiographically, we don't argue. Then why should we argue here? These scholars cannot imagine Paul continuing to be a sinner. Paul writes to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:15 - I am the chief of sinners. That alone should convince you that he is writing autobiographically.
Another controversy is this - Is Paul writing here of his pre-Christian or post-conversion experience? The pre-Christian advocates urge us to realize the contrast between Romans 7 and 8. The contrast with chapter 8 is glaring. Struggle of chapter 7 does not match any of his other letters where he describes the Christian life as one of peace and joy (except in one place where he calls himself as a chief of sinners).
The post-conversion advocates say this is Paul, the struggling saint. Paul, like us, is plagued by indwelling sin, but contends that it cannot reign over us.
i. I John 1:8 - Believers do sin.
ii. 7:1-13 is the past tense, but 7:14-25 is in the present tense.
iii. Galatians 5:17 and Romans 7:22
The contextual evidence is heavily weighted about the post-conversion experience of a Christian. When he talks about the struggles (starting verse 14), he talks in present tense. The pronoun “I” is used 27 times in 7:14-25. Romans 7:14-25 happens when a Christian tends to live christian life in his own strength.
The Christian life is not about keeping the law. It is about our relationship with the indwelling Christ.
An important theological truth: 1) When I become a Christian my sinful nature does not simply disappear. 2) BUT, its power over me has been broken!
Romans 8
A most glorious chapter
Romans Chapter 8 is one of the “great chapters of the Bible.” It begins with the word “therefore.” It implies that what is following is based upon what was described in prior chapters. It is in some sense the culmination of everything from 5:1 onward, and perhaps of the first 7 chapters. There is no condemnation (first two verses are extremely important summary). These first 2 verses signal a tremendous switch in emphasis.
All the first-person references in chapter 7 (I) have stopped and have been replaced with references to the Holy Spirit, who was absent from chapter 7. Paul now describes what it means to live in the Holy Spirit - Paul stops trying to keep the law and instead concentrates on staying “in Christ” The Holy Spirit's ministry in our life helps with staying in Christ.
The Holy Spirit:
1) The law of the Spirit sets us free from the law of sin and death - verse 2
2) He enables me to keep the requirements of the law - verse 4
3) Living in the Spirit changes my desires - verse 5
4) He produces peace in my mind - verse 6
5) He produces in us what pleases God - verses 8-9
6) He indwells us as the Spirit of Christ - verse 9
a) Every believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit (this verse teaches us that every person who accepts Christ as the Lord and savior has the Spirit living in them)
b) Being indwelt by, and being filled with, are not the same things - there is a vast difference between the two. The filling of the Holy Spirit is something many Christians have not experienced.
7) He is the Spirit of resurrection - verse 11
8) He enables us to crucify the sin nature - verse 13
9) He leads - verse 14
10) He is the Spirit of adoption - verse 15 (by his work, God has already adopted us, and we can call him Abba)
11) The Spirit gives assurance of our relationship with God - verse 16
12) He is the “first fruits” - verse 23
13) He intercedes for us - verses 26 and 27
A spirit-filled life is what we should seek!
Romans 8 and John 14-16 are the foundational chapters of the Bible concerning the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:31-39 - Triumphant passage - Nothing can separate from the love of God in Christ Jesus
Examine the unbreakable chain (Romans 8:29) in this verse. The control is with God. He accomplishes exactly what he intends to do.
Romans 8:29 - defines for us what “good “ is. All things work for good to those who love him. But what is good? Romans 8:29 defines it. Good is anything that makes us conform to Christ.
Assurance of salvation comes from -
1) Intellectual assurance that comes from trusting God’s Word.
Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
Whoever comes to me, I will never cast out.
If you confess with your mouth, you will be saved.
2) Assurance related to “fruit” (1 John 1:5-8)
3) The witness of the Spirit of God - this is very subjective. When you have the assurance from the spirit of God that you have been saved, and that you can call God, Abba father, that is the ultimate assurance one can receive.
Romans 9-11
Children of Promise
These portions need to be read and studied together in order to understand them. Some of the portions are tough to comprehend. It can also make you feel angry. Why did God chose Jacob over Esau? Why does God chose people to do evil things - like the Pharaoh. And more like that. But God's word is sovereign. We will try to understand it later.
Paul is trying to help us understand God’s purpose and plan for Israel. Paul is the Apostle to the Gentiles, but he loves his people, the Jews.
The “Jewish Question” - Why didn’t the Jews accept Jesus as the Messiah? Is there any answer to this? Paul's answer is that this is part of God's sovereign plan. And that this is for the grafting of the Gentiles into the tree of blessing. Based on Romans 11, at the end of the age, there will be a spiritual harvest among the Jewish people (Pastor Soper's interpretation and hypothesis). All Israel will be saved - does he mean the physical Israel or those who believe in Jesus?
God elects people based on his sovereign plan. God calls and we respond. No one is saved unless he is called. No one is saved unless he responds to this call. I know you are confused, and maybe even angry at this proposition. But remember these - what I like or not like, does not change truth. All people make choices and are responsible before god. We do not know who will accept or reject the gospel. We are the instruments through which the message of salvation comes to others. Salvation is all of grace from first to last. If you are still confused, my only solution to you is to pray. God understands, and will help clear this confusion for you.
Romans 12-13
Living a good christian life
Let's summarize:
The first section from chapter 1-11 is the doctrinal portion. 1) The universality of sin - 1:18-3:20
2) The Doctrine of Justification by Faith - 3:21
3) The illustration of that doctrine (chapter 4)
4) The results of that doctrine (chapters 5-8)
5) God is not yet finished with Israel (chapters 9-11)
Now for the second section in chapters 12-16 - describes the practical applications of the doctrine
Romans 12:1, 2
Yes, you are free from the law.
Yes, you have been saved through faith alone.
Use your freedom to offer yourselves in gratitude and worship to God. The real transformation happens by the renewing of our minds - in the way we think.
In Romans 12 - Paul uses the analogy of the human body to describe the church (also in I Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4). We are related (connected) to other Christians. Different parts of the body are created and equipped to do different things - interdependence vs. independence. Some of the gifts God gives to those in His body are mentioned here. Use the gifts He has given you to minister to the body. What does this body need and what can I do to meet that need? - This question will help you to uncover some of the gifts God has given you.
The “one-anothers”
1) “Be devoted to one another” - 12:10
2) “Honor one another above yourselves.” - 12:10
3) “Live in harmony with one another.” - 12:16
There are 60 “one anothers” scattered throughout the New Testament. Basic truth - the Christian life is one lived in community, in relationship with other Christians. It is a “one-another” life.The importance of small groups meeting together
Romans 13 - described the relationship of the Christian to civil authority.
Remember, St. Augustine was converted reading Romans 13:12-14.
Sanctification
Chapters 6, 7 and 8 form the next subsection of the Book of Romans. These chapters deal with - i. freedom from sin (chapter 6) ii. freedom from law (7) iii. freedom from death
Paul has now turned his attention from the doctrine of justification to a doctrine of sanctification. The process through which believers grow in maturity in Christ. In Paul's pattern of writing, theology comes first. Then the exhortation comes.
Chapter 6 verses 1-10 is theology and verses 11-23: practical application.
“Count yourselves dead to sin and alive to Christ.” (Romans 6:11)
God has already done just that - that's the doctrine of justification. We must do the same thing with respect to our own life - that's the doctrine of sanctification. It's subsequent to our conversion experience. We have to count ourselves dead to sin, and walk away from it. We must not be like the dog who does not realize that the chain is not tied down to a bolt, and in fact he is free to run. But he lives with the false awareness that he is tied down to the chain.
“It is no longer I that lives but Christ that lives in me.” - There are crisis points in our sanctification. b) “…keep on being filled with the Spirit…” Sanctification is an ongoing process also.
Baptism
1) Romans 6 contains the clearest teaching on baptism, an ordinance. You have to be identified with Christ.
2) It means being united with Christ. It's a testimony to anyone who watches.
3) Only those who have entered into a relationship with Christ should be baptized.
4) Baptism by immersion is the most appropriate, though not the only, ode of baptism, because of the symbolism. How to be baptized is not important when compared to who should be baptized.
Romans Chapter 6 has one simple idea: “Take that life that was once a slave to sin and make it now an instrument of righteousness, because now you really are free from the power of sin - free to be holy!”
Romans 7
Freedom from sin
This is one of the most controversial chapters in the Bible.
The whole theme of Chapter 6 was “freedom from sin.” We are free to chose righteousness. Though we are free to live for Christ, somehow, we don't live out that freedom. The first part of Chapter 7 - “freedom from the law.” he summarizes all that he has discussed about the law - a) Romans 3:20 - “Through the law we become conscious of our sin.” b) Romans 5 - The law exposes sin, defines it, and makes us understand our guilt. c) Romans 4:15 - “The law brings wrath…” d) Romans 5:20 - The law actually increased the law-breaking.
Before Christ, justification comes through the law. Keeping the law is a precondition for holiness or acceptance from God. Now it is not a matter of keeping the law - but maintaining a relationship with Christ. And that's all that matters. Christianity is not about keeping rules - but about knowing Jesus.
The second half (7:14-25) of Romans 7 describes the struggle inside us. Paul is writing in the first person and it sounds autobiographical. Some scholars cannot fathom the possibility that Paul is writing autobiographically. They count it for the dramatic nature of the passage - that Paul just wanted to dramatize things. And they content that Paul is not writing autobiographically. When Paul writes in other passages autobiographically, we don't argue. Then why should we argue here? These scholars cannot imagine Paul continuing to be a sinner. Paul writes to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:15 - I am the chief of sinners. That alone should convince you that he is writing autobiographically.
Another controversy is this - Is Paul writing here of his pre-Christian or post-conversion experience? The pre-Christian advocates urge us to realize the contrast between Romans 7 and 8. The contrast with chapter 8 is glaring. Struggle of chapter 7 does not match any of his other letters where he describes the Christian life as one of peace and joy (except in one place where he calls himself as a chief of sinners).
The post-conversion advocates say this is Paul, the struggling saint. Paul, like us, is plagued by indwelling sin, but contends that it cannot reign over us.
i. I John 1:8 - Believers do sin.
ii. 7:1-13 is the past tense, but 7:14-25 is in the present tense.
iii. Galatians 5:17 and Romans 7:22
The contextual evidence is heavily weighted about the post-conversion experience of a Christian. When he talks about the struggles (starting verse 14), he talks in present tense. The pronoun “I” is used 27 times in 7:14-25. Romans 7:14-25 happens when a Christian tends to live christian life in his own strength.
The Christian life is not about keeping the law. It is about our relationship with the indwelling Christ.
An important theological truth: 1) When I become a Christian my sinful nature does not simply disappear. 2) BUT, its power over me has been broken!
Romans 8
A most glorious chapter
Romans Chapter 8 is one of the “great chapters of the Bible.” It begins with the word “therefore.” It implies that what is following is based upon what was described in prior chapters. It is in some sense the culmination of everything from 5:1 onward, and perhaps of the first 7 chapters. There is no condemnation (first two verses are extremely important summary). These first 2 verses signal a tremendous switch in emphasis.
All the first-person references in chapter 7 (I) have stopped and have been replaced with references to the Holy Spirit, who was absent from chapter 7. Paul now describes what it means to live in the Holy Spirit - Paul stops trying to keep the law and instead concentrates on staying “in Christ” The Holy Spirit's ministry in our life helps with staying in Christ.
The Holy Spirit:
1) The law of the Spirit sets us free from the law of sin and death - verse 2
2) He enables me to keep the requirements of the law - verse 4
3) Living in the Spirit changes my desires - verse 5
4) He produces peace in my mind - verse 6
5) He produces in us what pleases God - verses 8-9
6) He indwells us as the Spirit of Christ - verse 9
a) Every believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit (this verse teaches us that every person who accepts Christ as the Lord and savior has the Spirit living in them)
b) Being indwelt by, and being filled with, are not the same things - there is a vast difference between the two. The filling of the Holy Spirit is something many Christians have not experienced.
7) He is the Spirit of resurrection - verse 11
8) He enables us to crucify the sin nature - verse 13
9) He leads - verse 14
10) He is the Spirit of adoption - verse 15 (by his work, God has already adopted us, and we can call him Abba)
11) The Spirit gives assurance of our relationship with God - verse 16
12) He is the “first fruits” - verse 23
13) He intercedes for us - verses 26 and 27
A spirit-filled life is what we should seek!
Romans 8 and John 14-16 are the foundational chapters of the Bible concerning the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:31-39 - Triumphant passage - Nothing can separate from the love of God in Christ Jesus
Examine the unbreakable chain (Romans 8:29) in this verse. The control is with God. He accomplishes exactly what he intends to do.
Romans 8:29 - defines for us what “good “ is. All things work for good to those who love him. But what is good? Romans 8:29 defines it. Good is anything that makes us conform to Christ.
Assurance of salvation comes from -
1) Intellectual assurance that comes from trusting God’s Word.
Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
Whoever comes to me, I will never cast out.
If you confess with your mouth, you will be saved.
2) Assurance related to “fruit” (1 John 1:5-8)
3) The witness of the Spirit of God - this is very subjective. When you have the assurance from the spirit of God that you have been saved, and that you can call God, Abba father, that is the ultimate assurance one can receive.
Romans 9-11
Children of Promise
These portions need to be read and studied together in order to understand them. Some of the portions are tough to comprehend. It can also make you feel angry. Why did God chose Jacob over Esau? Why does God chose people to do evil things - like the Pharaoh. And more like that. But God's word is sovereign. We will try to understand it later.
Paul is trying to help us understand God’s purpose and plan for Israel. Paul is the Apostle to the Gentiles, but he loves his people, the Jews.
The “Jewish Question” - Why didn’t the Jews accept Jesus as the Messiah? Is there any answer to this? Paul's answer is that this is part of God's sovereign plan. And that this is for the grafting of the Gentiles into the tree of blessing. Based on Romans 11, at the end of the age, there will be a spiritual harvest among the Jewish people (Pastor Soper's interpretation and hypothesis). All Israel will be saved - does he mean the physical Israel or those who believe in Jesus?
God elects people based on his sovereign plan. God calls and we respond. No one is saved unless he is called. No one is saved unless he responds to this call. I know you are confused, and maybe even angry at this proposition. But remember these - what I like or not like, does not change truth. All people make choices and are responsible before god. We do not know who will accept or reject the gospel. We are the instruments through which the message of salvation comes to others. Salvation is all of grace from first to last. If you are still confused, my only solution to you is to pray. God understands, and will help clear this confusion for you.
Romans 12-13
Living a good christian life
Let's summarize:
The first section from chapter 1-11 is the doctrinal portion. 1) The universality of sin - 1:18-3:20
2) The Doctrine of Justification by Faith - 3:21
3) The illustration of that doctrine (chapter 4)
4) The results of that doctrine (chapters 5-8)
5) God is not yet finished with Israel (chapters 9-11)
Now for the second section in chapters 12-16 - describes the practical applications of the doctrine
Romans 12:1, 2
Yes, you are free from the law.
Yes, you have been saved through faith alone.
Use your freedom to offer yourselves in gratitude and worship to God. The real transformation happens by the renewing of our minds - in the way we think.
In Romans 12 - Paul uses the analogy of the human body to describe the church (also in I Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4). We are related (connected) to other Christians. Different parts of the body are created and equipped to do different things - interdependence vs. independence. Some of the gifts God gives to those in His body are mentioned here. Use the gifts He has given you to minister to the body. What does this body need and what can I do to meet that need? - This question will help you to uncover some of the gifts God has given you.
The “one-anothers”
1) “Be devoted to one another” - 12:10
2) “Honor one another above yourselves.” - 12:10
3) “Live in harmony with one another.” - 12:16
There are 60 “one anothers” scattered throughout the New Testament. Basic truth - the Christian life is one lived in community, in relationship with other Christians. It is a “one-another” life.The importance of small groups meeting together
Romans 13 - described the relationship of the Christian to civil authority.
Remember, St. Augustine was converted reading Romans 13:12-14.
