Romans Chapter 6

HELPS AND HINDRANCES TO HOLINESS

   

Key verse: v 22

 

HELPS

 

1. Identification [vv 3-11]

 

        (v 3) Baptism into Christ (1 Cor 12:12-13)

                Placement, Going fully into.

        This is the basic of the 3 baptisms - 

                        By the Holy Spirit into Christ

                        By a servant of God in water

                        By Christ into the Holy Spirit

 

 

        The spiritual significance of the historical fact:

                Crucification of Christ - "our old man" (v 6)

                Death of Christ - "our body of sin" (v 6)

                Resurrection of Christ - "newness of life" (v 4)

                Ascension of Christ - "every blessing" (Eph 2:6; 1:3)

 

        This is the meaning of "bearing the marks of Jesus" (Gal 6:14-17)

                e.g. Napoleon's captive: (I would rather not have my hand that have my enemy's mark on it!)

 

2. Presentation [vv 12,13,16-19]

 

         Negative side : Yield not to lust and sin (12, 13a)

         Learn to say, "No!"  

         Positive side : Yield to righteousness (13b,19)

         Begin to say, "Yes!"

         

         This is what Jesus did (Heb 1:9) - Yes to righteousness and no to lawlessness

 

Illustrate:

        ·        Thought (2 Cor 10:3-6)

               Refusal to think anything other than Phil 4:8

 

        ·        Word (Js 3:8-10)

               Sinning in word is essentially against men... "we curse men"

 

                        Causes:    Bitterness   Js 3:14

                                        Envy

                                        Selfishness

 

                        Antidote:  Meekness   Js 3:13b,17,18

                                        Yieldedness

 

        ·        Deed -

              If thoughts and words are disciplined and captivated, victory in deeds is not difficult.

 

 

3. Continuation [v 22]

 

        "fruit"

        Seed  - old man

        Plant  - new man

        Fruit  - holiness [holy man]

        End   - everlasting life [eternal man]

 

        See 2 Pet 1:4-8

                Beginning with faith,

                        growing in virtues, and 

                                ending up in love [perfection.]

   

 

HINDRANCES

 

1. Misunderstanding the release from the Law [vv 15,16]

 

        We are under a new and higher law - Law of righteousness (v 16)

                 OT [tablets]  

                 NT [heart]

 

2. Mistaking the free receipt of Grace [ 5:19-6:1]

 

        Purpose of Grace:

             a. For the sinner 

                                First, Forgiveness 

                                Next, Enablement

 

                b. For the saint (1 Jn 2:1)

                               First, Enablement

                               Next, Forgiveness