3.2. RIGHTEOUSNESS PROVIDED (Romans 6:1 to 8:16)

Romans 6:2 "... How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?"

It is unthinkable to those saved by grace to sin (Romans 6:1-2 ). We are compelled by grace to live right. We can live right because we have newness of life, demonstrated in our baptism. Baptised into His death (Romans 6:3 ), we should walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4 ).

Romans 6:5 "For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection."

Having died with Christ we now live with, and by Christ. We can live right because Christ has freed us from sin's slavery (Romans 6:6-12 ). Jesus has made sin ineffective, or impotent to us. He has freed us from its control.

Romans 6:11-12 "Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts."

We can live right by presenting our body members as instruments of righteousness to God (Romans 6:13-14 ). Do so as one under the powerful rule of grace (Romans 6:14 ). We can live right because we have the power given to choose to obey God (Romans 6:15-18 ). The outcome of obedience is a holiness which brings fruit acceptable to God - and the eternal dividends of a life lived for God (Romans 6:19-23 ).

We are freed from marriage to the law of sin and death by dying with Christ (Romans 7:1-6 ). We are now married to Christ and can bring forth the fruit of life. The law is valuable. It brings knowledge of sin, but sin takes advantage of that knowledge (Romans 7:7-9 ). It is sin itself that is sinful - working evil desires that control and bring disobedience to God's law (Romans 7:9 ). The law makes the sinner understand he is worthy of death. The law brings life. God intended the law to bring life, but sin in the individual brought death, the penalty of the law that was broken (Romans 7:10-11 ).

The law is holy. Personal experience concludes that the law is holy, but I am a slave of sin (Romans 7:12 ). Also that sin was more powerful in me than the law (Romans 7:13-14 ). I never succeeded in obeying the law as long as sin was in control (Romans 7:15-17 ). Inwardly I wanted to do the will of God but sin would not let me (Romans 7:21-25 ), leaving me in a desperate, wretched, hopeless condition (Romans 7:23 ). This would be the awful state of the Pharisee under the law, and that of one trying to live the Christian life in one's own strength.

There is deliverance from sin only through Jesus Christ our Lord. How thankful to God we should be (Romans 7:25 ) - God provided a mighty deliverer.

Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."

Victory only in Christ Jesus - continued victory - only by the Spirit setting us free from the power of sin - and by commitment of ourselves to the rule of the Spirit, by obedience to the Spirit. The believer, through the loving ministry of the holy spirit who indwells, finds life and peace.

Romans 8:2 "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death."

It is the Holy Spirit, who, operating within our spirit that makes effectual in us that deliverance from the power of sin, that belongs to those in Christ. What God did in Christ, the law could not do, and what He did was to provide a holy life by walking in His indwelling Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the disposition for a holy life within us, and what was formerly not possible, is actual as we choose to do so by the Spirit's power. All possible because of the sacrifice of the sinless man Christ Jesus (Romans 8:3 ). A life controlled by the Holy Spirit instead of a life dominated by the flesh (Romans 8:4-8 )

Not to have the Spirit of Christ is not to be His (Romans 8:9 ). Everyone born of the Spirit through faith in Christ, is indwelt by the Spirit who births and develops the fruit of holiness, as the evidence of Christ's life in us (Romans 8:10 ). The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in us (Romans 8:11 ). He will give health and life to our bodies, which are subject to physical death, both now in our physical need and when that which is mortal shall be swallowed up in victory and life. (1 Corinthians 15:35,54; 2 Corinthians 5:4 ). Obligation to the flesh is at an end - we are now to live unto God by the Spirit.

Romans 8:12 "Therefore, brethren, we are debtors -- not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh."

Living according to the sin principle is death,

Romans 8:13 "... but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you shall live"

Living by the Spirit in our spirit, under His leading, that is, His control, indicates being adult sons living in victory.

Romans 8:14 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God."

Our renewed spirit is not one of slavery to fear - we have received the Spirit of freedom and sonship that breaks every bondage (Romans 8:15 ). Being adopted sons, that is adult sons, we share all the rights and privileges of God's family and are "partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4 ). With the Spirit of adult sonship we cry out "Abba, Father" distinguishing us from slaves

For, as Dake notes, "Slaves were never allowed to say "Abba" to a master, or "Imma" to a mistress".

It is the Holy Spirit's witness to our sonship that imparts confidence to call God, "Father." The certainty of our relationship through Christ is given the highest authenticity by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16 ). We are provided perfect acceptance in Christ and love by the Father as Christ is loved.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. What kind of life did your baptism demonstrate (Romans 6:5 )?

2. Are your body members under new management by your action of handing them over as instruments of righteousness (Romans 6:13-14 )?

3. Do you see in Chapter 7, a picture of the Pharisee under the law and of one trying to live the Christian life in one's own strength (Romans 7:21-25 )?

4. Do you daily make the choice of a life controlled by the Holy Spirit ( Romans 8:4-8 )?

5. What does it mean to you physically to have the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwelling in you (Romans 8:11 )?

6. What is the evidence of your legal standing in God's family (Romans 8:14- 16 )?