Foundations Study - The Christ Centered Life Lesson 17 February 6, 2002

Intro Review:

7. Christ and His righteousness are the end of the law for righteousness to every Believer, Rom. 10:4;

8. Christianity then is not a system of legalism nor is it antinomianism.

9. The law and its ultimate intent are fulfilled in the Believer by agape-love, the mental and overt expression of the essence of the indwelling Spirit of God within, Romans 13:8; Galatians 5:14.

- flows out of walking by the Spirit, reflecting His character

- Rom 8:4

10. Conclusion: Believers are in no way connected to the Mosaic Law.

- by the works of the law no man is justified Rom. 3:20

- the power to live the CWOL is not found in the law either!

Ø The theme of vs:15-23 is that we are freed from the OSN and now we are servants of God!

1. The whole of Rom 6 is structured around 2 questions: w/o knowing the structure you'll miss the thrust of the chapter.

#1 Shall we, as believers, continue in sin so that grace may abound?

#2 6:15 Shall we continue in sin because we are under grace, not law. 6:14 is the springboard for this one;

2. The last 5 words of vs:14 are identical, letter for letter with a phrase in vs:15.

- Question that the objectors are raising then is, what will regulate man's conduct?

Believe the objections raised at this point are based on several false assumptions; false assumptions about the Christian life!

#1. Law is the only way to control the conduct of man!

#2. Freedom from law equals freedom to sin!

#3. It is also assumed that grace has no power to motivate and control!

3. There is a lesson in this context on how we can misuse truth!

Lesson is:

Wrong understanding of right teaching can result in wrong conduct!

4. Rational for this next context!

Ø Outline: v.16-23

1. Options for life; 6:16

Who is your master!

2. Transformation that takes place on becoming a Believer 6:17-22

#1 of a new position with a new master; v.17-18

- once were; contrasted with what you became, now are!

#2 there is a difference of conduct; v.19-20

- again contrasts our conduct before cross with our conduct after the cross.

#3 There is a transformation of benefits; v.21-22

v.21 before the cross - old servant resulted in death

v.22 after the cross - sanctification; eternal life

3. The Summary 6:23

- The benefits are very crisp and concise; its either death or life!

- And all the way through the passage Paul is saying the choice is yours!

6:16 The Options - states a basic principle; one we all know

The Believer has two options here;

#1 to present himself as slave to sin - the old nature!

#2 to present himself as slave, obedient to God.

- In the last part of the verse Paul shifts from principle to practice;

"Someone" & "one" are replaced with sin or obedience;

- Notice the results indicated; [eij]

#1 sin results in death

#2 obedience results in righteousness