Lesson 7—Free from Sin (Chapter 6)
for October 22, 2000

Introduction

Chapter 5 ends with a type of “how much more” argument about grace and sin. The law (of Moses) makes us more aware of our sin. Because of the specific commandments of the law, Jews knew when they were breaking the law. Sin (and knowledge of sin) increased. However, the sacrifice of Jesus makes the Jews under the law (and us) righteous anyway, even with the increase of sin. With the law there was more sin, but there is now more grace.

Some might be tempted to think that if grace increases with our sin, then we can sin all we want and grace will cover it. Paul answers that faulty reasoning in chapter 6.

Dead to sin, a new life in Christ

If grace covers all of our sins, should we sin more so that God can give us more grace? The answer to Paul is obvious—NO. The reason is simple: Christians have died to sin. If we have died to sin, we should not live in sin. The idea is not just that we do not do this or that particular sin, but that we are no longer under the control of sin. In fact, we all do sin from time to time; Paul is not referring to that. He means that we are not in a life of sin.

How is it that we die to sin? Paul explains that it occurs when we are immersed in water (baptized) as believers. We are baptized into his death. Just as Christ rose from death, when we rise (out of the water) we have a new life. The symbolism of the act of immersion in faith is clear. We go under the water (full immersion, the real meaning of baptism) to show our death and burial, like that of Jesus. We rise out of the water, as Jesus rose from the tomb, with a new life.

There are many who have fallen prey to a false teaching that is prevalent in the world today. The teaching that baptism is “works salvation” and not essential to salvation is wrong. Yes, Paul wrote that we are justified by faith (5:1), and that “this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (3:22). That same Paul wrote that we “died to sin” and “live a new life” through baptism. Paul is talking about the kind of faith that expresses itself in obedience and part of that obedience is immersion into Christ.

Paul makes several other arguments here:

He expresses the great Christian hope that because we have been united with Christ in his death (through baptism), we will be united in his resurrection.

We are no longer slaves to sin because: Old self/crucified, body of sin/done away with, anyone who has died/freed from sin.

What Jesus experienced (death, resurrection), we also experience in that we die to sin and will live with him. Death no longer has mastery over Jesus; it no longer has mastery over us.

Remember that all of this is to answer those who propose that since grace is so free, we should continue in a life of sin. Paul reiterates many times in these verses that we are dead to sin. Christians who are living for God do not let sin control their lives. They do not give their bodies or any part thereof as an instrument of sin. Grace does not lead us to sin or to sin more; instead, sin is not our master because of grace.

Be slaves to righteousness

We will give our lives to someone or something. Paul says the choice is to be a slave to sin or to righteousness. In making the choice, consider the consequences. Slavery to sin leads to death while slavery to obedience leads to righteousness. The main point is that Christians have been freed from (the power of) sin and its resulting effect of death. Instead we allow righteousness to control us, which results in holiness (v. 19) and eternal life (v. 22).

Questions

1. After reading chapter 5, would you have thought of asking “Why not just sin, since grace abounds”?
2. Why should Christians not sin to get more grace?
3. How does a person die to sin?
4. Why do so many people reject immersion as part of our salvation in Christ? Is it a problem of the will? Do they misunderstand faith? Are there other reasons?

Application

How can a person know if he is living a life of sin (or a life free from the control of sin)?
Have you mistakenly excused a sin-controlled life with the notion of cheap grace?
To whom have you given your life?

Memorizing scripture is one good way to store God’s word in your heart. Paul’s letter to the Romans has many key scriptures that are valuable to memorize. Work on one or two each week, or if you are new to memorizing, do one every two weeks. Here is one list of suggestions from which to choose for the first six chapters: