I am studying Romans today in my Survey of the Old and New Testament and Paul is speaking to the Gentiles (non-Jew) and Jews (Messianic) about how a Christian must live. It is here where we see that we are saved by faith but it is interesting to see how Paul conveys his message on just what is expected of Christians.
Paul uses what is called a "diatribe" which is him basically having a dialogue as if someone is asking him questions and he is answering them. This is where it gets pretty obvious that Christians are not only expected to just believe in Jesus but to be obedient. First he addresses how sin entered the world. As we all know, that is through Adam (and Eve), but he goes on to say something interesting about this:
"For just as through one man's disobedience (Adam) the many were made sinners, so also through one man's obedience (Jesus) that many will become righteous. (Romans 5:19)
So this shows us that Jesus comes to undo what Adam started when he disobeyed and sin entered the world. But, does this mean we only believe and call it good? Now enters the dialogue:
After Paul proclaims that when the law came along it served to multiply the trespasses (sins committed), He also says that grace multiplied even more along with it. So the question is asked:
"Should we continue to sin so that grace may multiply" (Romans 6:1)? In response, Paul says "Absolutely Not!" (Romans 6:2) He goes on to pose his own question: "How can we who died to sin still live in it?" (Romans 6:2) Then comes the significant part! "Are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?" (Romans 6:3) He then goes on to say that "just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in the NEWNESS of life. For if we have been united with him in the likeness of his death we will certainly also be in the likeness of his resurrection. For we know that our OLD SELF was CRUCIFIED with him so that the body ruled by sin might be rendered powerless so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin, since the person who has died is freed from sin" (Romans 6: 4-7).
What does this all mean? Living by faith is not simply saying, "Yes, I believe Jesus came, died and rose again." It is "crucifying our OLD SELVES" to become NEW in Christ. We are no longer "slaves" to sin but are "slaves" to righteousness. Meaning we are replacing the Master of Sin (Satan) with the Master of Righteousness (God). Now I know the word slave is a little off putting but it was only said in this fashion so Paul's audience could better understand. When we are born and grow up, we are slaves to our flesh/ sinful natures. That is what makes us separated from God. When we choose to accept Christ, that sinful nature dies and we come forth a "new creature". This is why it is called "born again". We no longer obey the commands of sin but we follow a new Master with a new command(s). This is where the Holy Spirit comes in and guides us in following righteousness instead of sinfulness. This is where we see where being a slave to sin leads to destruction, being a slave to righteousness results in eternal life.
Paul talks about many different areas that people today still debate about, but one thing remains constant with both the Gentiles and the Messianic Jews (Judaism and Christianity had not yet split and Christianity was seen as a sect of Judaism in AD 55). We are not only expected to believe in the Savior but to "walk in righteousness" as Jesus walked in righteousness. We are expected to let our "Old Selves" die on the cross with Christ, and emerge new (be resurrected) as one who shares in the glory that is Jesus Christ.
#christianity #faith #JesusFollower #Godisgood #christianliving #AmenI am studying Romans today in my Survey of the Old and New Testament and Paul is speaking to the Gentiles (non-Jew) and Jews (Messianic) about how a Christian must live. It is here where we see that we are saved by faith but it is interesting to see how Paul conveys his message on just what is expected of Christians.
Paul uses what is called a "diatribe" which is him basically having a dialogue as if someone is asking him questions and he is answering them. This is where it gets pretty obvious that Christians are not only expected to just believe in Jesus but to be obedient. First he addresses how sin entered the world. As we all know, that is through Adam (and Eve), but he goes on to say something interesting about this:
"For just as through one man's disobedience (Adam) the many were made sinners, so also through one man's obedience (Jesus) that many will become righteous. (Romans 5:19)
So this shows us that Jesus comes to undo what Adam started when he disobeyed and sin entered the world. But, does this mean we only believe and call it good? Now enters the dialogue:
After Paul proclaims that when the law came along it served to multiply the trespasses (sins committed), He also says that grace multiplied even more along with it. So the question is asked:
"Should we continue to sin so that grace may multiply" (Romans 6:1)? In response, Paul says "Absolutely Not!" (Romans 6:2) He goes on to pose his own question: "How can we who died to sin still live in it?" (Romans 6:2) Then comes the significant part! "Are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?" (Romans 6:3) He then goes on to say that "just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in the NEWNESS of life. For if we have been united with him in the likeness of his death we will certainly also be in the likeness of his resurrection. For we know that our OLD SELF was CRUCIFIED with him so that the body ruled by sin might be rendered powerless so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin, since the person who has died is freed from sin" (Romans 6: 4-7).
What does this all mean? Living by faith is not simply saying, "Yes, I believe Jesus came, died and rose again." It is "crucifying our OLD SELVES" to become NEW in Christ. We are no longer "slaves" to sin but are "slaves" to righteousness. Meaning we are replacing the Master of Sin (Satan) with the Master of Righteousness (God). Now I know the word slave is a little off putting but it was only said in this fashion so Paul's audience could better understand. When we are born and grow up, we are slaves to our flesh/ sinful natures. That is what makes us separated from God. When we choose to accept Christ, that sinful nature dies and we come forth a "new creature". This is why it is called "born again". We no longer obey the commands of sin but we follow a new Master with a new command(s). This is where the Holy Spirit comes in and guides us in following righteousness instead of sinfulness. This is where we see where being a slave to sin leads to destruction, being a slave to righteousness results in eternal life.
Paul talks about many different areas that people today still debate about, but one thing remains constant with both the Gentiles and the Messianic Jews (Judaism and Christianity had not yet split and Christianity was seen as a sect of Judaism in AD 55). We are not only expected to believe in the Savior but to "walk in righteousness" as Jesus walked in righteousness. We are expected to let our "Old Selves" die on the cross with Christ, and emerge new (be resurrected) as one who shares in the glory that is Jesus Christ.
#christianity #faith #JesusFollower #Godisgood #christianliving #Amen
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