1 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
Keep On Sinning
Paul is now turning his attention to the Gentiles in the Roman Church. So far, most of his correction has been directed at the Jewish Christians, who were trying to make others obey certain aspects of the Law (such as circumcision). He’s made it clear that if you try to follow one aspect of the Law, then you will be held guilty for all of it. In other words, it’s all or nothing. Either the Law is the standard of judgement or it’s not. Either Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law or he didn’t.
The Gentiles were very comfortable with the notion that Jesus fulfilled the Law. They believed strongly that the Law no longer held any control over their lives. It is the era of Grace, after all. However, they went further and believed that it didn’t matter what you did. Any behaviour was acceptable because Christ has already paid the price. Some Gentiles were even taking yesterday’s passage and suggesting that since God shows up with more grace in places where there is more sin, then the more we do, the more opportunity to show off God’s grace!
Paul wants to address this way of thinking. He’s wants to reveal the ridiculousness behind the statement. And the first thing he address is the idea that we can do whatever we want as Christ followers.
At Bikers’ Church we define a Christ follower as someone who believes that “He is God, I’m not.” And then lives according to that principle. In other words, they live life as if someone else — God — is in control. We’re no longer in charge. We give that over to God. Therefore, we lives our lives not for our own pleasure. Not to fulfill our own desires. Instead, we live with the desire to honour God and to fulfill his purpose and desire for us.
Paul suggests the same thing in this passage. We die to ourselves when we turn our lives over to God. He’s in charge. Are you living that way?
My prayer: God, forgive me that far too often I try to take back control of my life. I crave, desire, and want, and then do things that do not honour you. I am selfish. I know it. Forgive me. My heart truly is to live for you. To do your will. To see your purposes lived out in my life. And yet, I cannot do it without you. For you are God, I am not. And so, I ask you again for help. Give me the strength to live each day for you. Amen.
Until tomorrow.
