Shall We Sin?

Text: Romans 6

Introduction:
  1. Begin the sanctification section of Romans
  2. We move now into the third section of Romans—"Sanctification" (chaps. 6-8). Note that chapter 6 deals with the believer being dead to sin; chapter 7, with the believer being dead to the Law; and chapter 8, with the believer alive in Spirit-given victory. All three chapters are an explanation of the little phrase in 5:17—"reign in life." Chapter 6 tells us how sin no longer reigns over us (6:12); chapter 7 explains how the Law no longer reigns over us (7:1); and chapter 8 explains how the indwelling Spirit gives us life and liberty (8:2-4).
  3. Define justification, sanctification, and explain the difference

Romans 3:21-5:21

Romans 6-8

Substitution: He died for me

Identification: I died with Him

He died for my sins

He died unto sin

He paid sin’s penalty

He broke sin’s power

Justification: righteousness imputed (put to my account)

Sanctification: righteousness imparted (made a part of my life)

Saved by His death

Saved by His life
  1. Paul anticipates 2 objections to the doctrine of justification by faith
    1. Sin more so that grace can abound more
    2. Since sins are forgiven, we can live as we please

Transition: 3 Steps in Overcoming Sin: Know, Count, Yield.
  1. Know (V. 1-10)
    1. Dead to sin (v. 1-7)
    2. Alive to God (v. 8-10)
      1. Baptism as an illus.
      2. Meanings of baptism
        1. immerse
        2. identify
      3. Baptism identified us with Christ. We were telling the world that the old man died and we are living like a new man unto Christ.
      4. Corpse can’t be tempted by liquor, pornography. That is the way we are to be.
      5. In practice this is difficult. Ch. 7 Paul speaks of the struggle he had
      6. "destroyed" = "made inoperative"
      7. Before salvation you were controlled by the "old man" which is the sinful nature. At salvation, God put a new controller, a new man, controlling you. He "pulled the plug" from the old man. But you can plug him back in. Which man are you allowing to control you?
    3. Sin and death have no dominion over Christ. We are "in Christ"; therefore, sin and death have no dominion over us
  2. Count
    1. "count" = "reckon" = "impute" = "to put on your account"
    2. Put onto a financial ledger
    3. Christ’s righteousness was imputed to you. The ability to live like Christ was imparted to you!
    4. Explain difference between positional sanctification and practical sanctification
      1. Illus. play your position. Act like the position that has been imputed to you
      2. Obey the right king
      3. Don’t follow the evil desires
    5. Under the law sin had 2 things
      1. Power over you
      2. Penalty for you
    6. Under Grace you have two things
      1. Sin’s power made inoperative
      2. Penalty removed
  3. Yield
    1. "Yield" is used 5 times (twice in 12, 16, twice in 19)
    2. Obey is used 4 times (12, twice in 16, 17)
    3. "parts" = "instruments"
    4. Practical, not just a general theological statement. "Here am I Lord."
      1. But more specific, "Here are my eyes, feet, hands, tongue, etc."
      2. As you read Psalm 51, you see that his whole body was affected by sin: his eyes (Ps. 51:3), mind (Ps. 51:6), ears (Ps. 51:8), heart (Ps. 51:10), and lips and mouth (Ps. 51:14-15). No wonder he prayed for a thorough cleansing! (Ps. 51:2)
    5. Yield daily "I die daily"
    6. You have been set free from sin. You don’t have to sin!

Conclusion:

Remember the end result of your actions: the Law of the Boomerang

 Wages of sin

 note that this is just as true for the Christian as it is for the unbeliever

 sin when it is finished brings forth death (Jm. 1:15)

 Gift of righteousness

 You cannot use God's salvation as an excuse to sin. Shall we sin? God forbid!

 Paul’s first instruction ("know") centered in the mind, and the second instruction ("reckon") focuses on the heart. His third instruction touches the will.