Lesson 83
The Christ-Centered Life
The Foundation
is our Position in Christ - Rom 6
Review:
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Now in Romans 6:14 he declares a
second major result of death with Christ--that is release from law.
First "Sin shall not be master over you."
Paul continues by giving the reason for this statement.
The person who has died with Christ no longer has to live
with the sin nature as master again because that person is "not under law, but under grace."
Several
things should be noted concerning this declaration of release from law.
First, Paul is drawing a contrast
between two positions:
the position of being under law and the position of
being under grace.
- His use of the word "under" [u`po.] for both
positions indicates that both involve subjection to some governing principle,
some authority. [Centurion Mt 8:9]
Second, Paul is indicating that there
is a relationship between being under law as a governing principle and having
the sinful nature as master.
Third, Paul is teaching that there is
some relationship between being under grace as a governing principle and not
having the sinful nature as master.
Fourth, Paul is declaring that
Christians are not under any external law as a means of sanctification.
- The word "the"
is missing before the word "law";
no definite article; therefore, Paul is not referring to any specific law system.
He is
teaching that no external law will
set a person from mastery by his sinful nature.
He is simply saying that is so dynamic that it can control and you in a way that the law never could nor was
it intended to!
Look at Titus 2:11-12 parallel thought related to grace and how it
prepares us for life!
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ØThe entire program of God in
relation to man is seen right here in the term grace. carij
This grace "has appeared" evpifai,nw be made clear, to be
manifest; thrust = to appear suddenly on the scene;
The
image of "grace appearing" becoming
visible is that of grace suddenly
breaking in on the moral darkness of the world, like the rising sun.
The
next phrase is somewhat ambiguous as it stands; "bringing
salvation to all men." (no word for bringing in the text.)
- swth,rioj (adj.) saving, delivering,
preserving
Next we find to whom it
has appeared; (dat pl.)
to all men pa/j a;nqrwpoj; dative is advantage when
actualized.
- This is not teaching universal salvation at all.
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"instructing us" peideuw (pres
act ptc) to train by discipline; to
train a child; to instruct.
* This is the process of
change as we grow & mature in the word, a change in our attitudes, ambitions,
appetites and actions.
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Next Paul describes the curriculum of Grace; 1st neg and then pos.
The neg. what we're to choose to reject, to separate from.
The pos. what we're to choose to affirm or embrace.
First the neg. "to
deny ungodliness and worldly desires"
- to deny = arneomai to
say no!
#1 "ungodliness" asebeia; what
this describes is any thought or act that is outside the parameters of God's +R
standard; His moral will;
B.L. = describes whatever is irreverent and unlike God.
#2 "worldly desires" kosmikoj epiqumia; ending - ikoj = characterized by the
world, the kosmoj, that is the world in all its estrangement
from God and influenced by its ruler!
The positive instruction: 3 things that we are to affirm and embrace in our
life, that is to live zaw
Paul is
exhorting us to join him in a course of action; let
us
A course of action that is to characterize the entire course of our
lives as believers.
#1 Sensibly; swfronwj focus is inward; emphasis on self-control from
sound thinking
#2 righteously; dikaiwj justly, in a
just manner, uprightly
- the focus
is outward, related to our dealings, our treatment of other believers.
#3 godly; eusebwj; godly, reverently; the focus looks upward to our relationship with the Lord.
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Such a life, being instructed and disciplined by
grace Paul says is not only a possibility but is our responsibility "in this present age."
Only when we believe that our
history in Adam, with all of its responsibilities and demands ended at the
cross;
only then,
will we find ourselves completely free to enjoy
our present status of being UNDER GRACE in union with Christ, who is our
life!