Lesson  83

The Christ-Centered Life

                               The Foundation is our Position in Christ - Rom 6

Review:

 

 

 

Ø      6:14   Declaration of Release from Law

 

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!

Ø      2:11  God's Grace:  Past Provision - Salvation.

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.

 

Ø      2:12   God's Grace: Present Provision - Instruction for life.

"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.

 

Ø      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.

 

 

Ø      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!