Romans 6:1-23
Justification by faith apart from keeping the law might cause some to believe that this doctrine might encourage the practice of sin. Paul contradicts this thinking by showing that this doctrine teaches just the opposite. We are justified not because we are sanctified but in order that we might become sanctified. Christ died to free us from the captivity of sin. Paul describes how this works.
SANCTIFICATION INVOLVES THE HEAD: Paul says that sanctification starts with the knowledge of the fact that we have been crucified with Christ, buried with Christ and resurrected with Christ. We have died to sin and been raised to a new life that is free from the power of sin. We must know this truth in our minds. Too often, we do not consider our knowledge of the truth to be a vial part of our walk with Christ. But an accurate understanding of our identification with Christ is key to our living the way that He would have us to live. We must realize that salvation brings about a very real change of identity in our lives. We are not who we were before Christ. We are in Christ and He is in us. This is our new reality. This knowledge must be regularly replayed in our minds as we walk with Him.
SANCTIFICATION INVOLVES THE HEART: Many times we might know that something is true, but we don't live in light of that truth. If God's sanctifying work is going to be successful, we must consider our identification as it applies to us personally. These are not just cold theological truths, this is who we are in Christ and our standing in Him. It is easy for us to forget these truths as we live in and are influenced by this sinful world. That is why on a daily basis we must consciously recall these truths and reflect on their implications on our lives. It does no good be aware of truths if they are not applied to our daily walks. We need to stop and consider these glorious doctrines and realize how they ought to impact the way we go about our daily tasks. If we take the attitude that we are defeated under the weight of sin, chances are we will live in a sinful manner. But if we will focus on the truth that the power of sin was slaughtered with Christ on the cross and that our victory over sin sprung from the grave at Christ's resurrection we will see the shackles of sin be shed from our hearts.
SANCTIFICATION INVOLVES OUR HANDS: Our hands always follow our heads and hearts. We cannot claim to know the truth of the Gospel and say that we are considering it to be true in our lives and then use our bodies to practice sin. When we were enslaved to sin our bodies were obligated to follow the lusts of our flesh. But we are no longer slaves of sin but are now enslaved to righteousness. We are to present our bodies to do the works of the Spirit and not the works of the flesh. The life we have been given delights in obedience and willingly offers all that it has and all that it is to walk according to the ways of the Lord. We either use our bodies as instrument of worship to accomplish the work of the Lord in this world, or we use them gratify the body's own sinful desires. Each day we must place our bodies on the altar of Christ that He might use each part of our bodies from the tip of our heads to our toes for His honor and glory. This is how God works sanctification in the lives of His children.
SANCTIFICATION INVOLVES THE HEAD: Paul says that sanctification starts with the knowledge of the fact that we have been crucified with Christ, buried with Christ and resurrected with Christ. We have died to sin and been raised to a new life that is free from the power of sin. We must know this truth in our minds. Too often, we do not consider our knowledge of the truth to be a vial part of our walk with Christ. But an accurate understanding of our identification with Christ is key to our living the way that He would have us to live. We must realize that salvation brings about a very real change of identity in our lives. We are not who we were before Christ. We are in Christ and He is in us. This is our new reality. This knowledge must be regularly replayed in our minds as we walk with Him.
SANCTIFICATION INVOLVES THE HEART: Many times we might know that something is true, but we don't live in light of that truth. If God's sanctifying work is going to be successful, we must consider our identification as it applies to us personally. These are not just cold theological truths, this is who we are in Christ and our standing in Him. It is easy for us to forget these truths as we live in and are influenced by this sinful world. That is why on a daily basis we must consciously recall these truths and reflect on their implications on our lives. It does no good be aware of truths if they are not applied to our daily walks. We need to stop and consider these glorious doctrines and realize how they ought to impact the way we go about our daily tasks. If we take the attitude that we are defeated under the weight of sin, chances are we will live in a sinful manner. But if we will focus on the truth that the power of sin was slaughtered with Christ on the cross and that our victory over sin sprung from the grave at Christ's resurrection we will see the shackles of sin be shed from our hearts.
SANCTIFICATION INVOLVES OUR HANDS: Our hands always follow our heads and hearts. We cannot claim to know the truth of the Gospel and say that we are considering it to be true in our lives and then use our bodies to practice sin. When we were enslaved to sin our bodies were obligated to follow the lusts of our flesh. But we are no longer slaves of sin but are now enslaved to righteousness. We are to present our bodies to do the works of the Spirit and not the works of the flesh. The life we have been given delights in obedience and willingly offers all that it has and all that it is to walk according to the ways of the Lord. We either use our bodies as instrument of worship to accomplish the work of the Lord in this world, or we use them gratify the body's own sinful desires. Each day we must place our bodies on the altar of Christ that He might use each part of our bodies from the tip of our heads to our toes for His honor and glory. This is how God works sanctification in the lives of His children.
Comments
Post a Comment