However, that being said, there are instances in which the divisions of chapter breaks are quite appropriate and fitting.
There are even instances in which you will find chapters that form trilogies such as PSALMS 22, 23, and 24 that have a specific theme.
In these three PSALMS, you have the LORD JESUS as the Supreme Sacrifice in 22; the Good Shepherd Who currently shepherds His sheep throughout the church age in 23. Then 24 that speaks of the coming Messiah King to Rule and Reign!
There are other examples of these trilogies and their accompanying theme as well.
We will examine these trilogies in this sort series (some of which are excepts of expositional studies found here on TTUF. We'll start off with ROMANS Ch's. 6, 7, and 8!
Taken from: A Study in Paul’s Epistle to the Romans – “Onthe Road of Righteousness” Chapter SIX:
www.thetruthunderfire.com (for those accessing the site by phone: click on “web version” link at the bottom of the page, then click on the tab under The TRUTH Under FIRE banner labeled “Bible Study” and look for ROMANS. Click on that for the full, unedited study)
KNYHTF1RE@gmail.com (for those who would like this abridged version, email me at this address and I can send you the MS WORD doc. Write “Request Romans 6-8 Study” in the subject line of your email)
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Chapter Six: Dead Man Walking – Alive by God’s Spirit
In the closing verses of Chapter Five we see that just as “sin reigned unto death” so would “grace reign through righteousness” and that “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound”. Because of the Law, sin abounded, but because of the atonement of Jesus Christ on the cross, our sin-bearer grace abounds more than the Law that would condemn us. We’ll examine the positional and practical aspects of salvation.
Perfect Position vs. Perpetual Practice. Since the day we received Jesus Christ as LORD and SAVIOR we’ve been washed our sins and stand before our Holy God as pure and as sinless as the LORD Jesus Himself. He’s granted the His Holy Spirit as well as His flawless righteousness – a Divine ‘trade up’ for us: Jesus took our sins, and in return, He gave us His righteousness. That’s our position; how God the Father sees us.
Sin still tempts us however. Over all, we are guiltless of sin because the blood of the Lamb cleanses us from all unrighteousness, but in our day to day living, we aren’t always experiencing victory over sin. It is a daily warfare (GAL 5:17).
Being a Christian doesn’t mean practically being sinless, but it does mean that we should practically sin less. In other words, sin should be a diminishing influence in our lives. We grow in holiness and purity “perfecting holiness” in us, His children: 2 COR 7:1. That word “perfecting” is significant; it means “to execute, to perform, to complete” It’s a work that is to be finished.
Remember this: sin is such a powerful force, that it took no one less than God made flesh, the LORD Jesus Christ to ruin its power!
ROMANS 6:1
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
It’s inappropriate for any true Christian to “continue” in sin. As believers we shouldn’t find ourselves ‘at home’ in our old life. The word “continue” implies an intensive form of “dwelling, to tarry, persevere, to remain, to continue long, and still to abide.”
Imagine that there’s been a death in the family. The corpse isn’t buried, but kept at home, tended to by family members in dressing them every day, sitting them down to meals, bringing them into the family room to enjoy a night of television with everyone.
After one week it becomes clear they don’t belong. They’re starting to smell and decompose. They never share in the family conversation. They don’t lift a finger to help around the house or in financial responsibilities. They’re dead; they no longer belong to the world in which they once lived. They need to be separated!
So too for the Christian; since we are now “dead to sin” we no longer belong to this world of sin; we belong elsewhere: separated - sanctified unto our God!
Suppose that corpse died of liver failure due to excessive drinking; now they’re lying on the couch, and you take a bottle of their favorite brand of whiskey and swirl it in front of their pale, rotting face. You’ll not get much of a rise out of them – any such attraction to alcohol is gone.
Likewise with us who’re “dead to sin” but it does attract us! Why? We are not living the crucified life, that’s why!
ROMANS 6:3-4
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
If one is water baptized, they’re ‘in water’; if one is “in Christ” (ROMANS 12:5) it’s because they’ve been “baptized into Christ” – now members of His body:
1 CORINTHIANS 12:13Jesus our LORD was baptized but had no sin; rather He was identifying with fallen humanity. Those who are baptized into Jesus Christ are identified with Him. It’s not mere ceremony, but a spiritual reality and transaction in the new testament.
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body… (also: GAL 3:27; COL 2:12).
Jesus Christ died on the cross; He took our sin (the wages of sin is death (ROM 6:23a), and just as that is a reality so also is our identification with Him a reality! Read slowly:
ROMANS 6:4
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
The fact that we are buried with Him by baptism into death means that, spiritually speaking, WE – ARE – DEAD – IN – CHRIST (this is the crucified life)! He is now alive forever more (ROM 6:9), therefore we should walk in “newness of life”.
It’s the yielding that presents the problem however; Christians yield to sin because sin is enticing, it’s pleasurable, it’s ‘fun’ for sinful nature, always will be: The answer then is to declare by faith that we’re “dead to sin” being identified with Christ Jesus on the cross, just as Paul declared (GAL 2:20)
ROMANS 6:5-7
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Our old sin nature breeds spiritual rebellion (as with the children of disobedience; EPH 2:2) but is crucified with Jesus Christ, Who hung on the cross 2,000 years ago. Receive this truth just as you received the truth of the Gospel, for its all part of the same work of salvation! Believe by faith that it’s just as God said in His Word.
You’re beginning to understand the glorious liberation from the enslaving sinful life of the old man – so that we are not just freed from the penalty of sin (justification) which is hell fire, but also from the power of sin which is sanctification! WE ARE FREE FROM SIN! Free to serve the LORD in righteousness!
We have a dual nature –the fallen Adamic nature of sin (1 COR 15:21-23), but also the “divine nature” (2 PET 1:2-4) that both Paul (in ROM 6:1 and elsewhere) and Peter talk about, granted by Jesus Christ’s atonement, resurrection, and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
G.R.A.C.E. = God’s Riches of righteousness Attributed to us at Christ’s Expense (2 PET 3:18), the unmerited blessing of God’s salvation in the Person of Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross for our justification and the endowment of citizenship in the kingdom of God as sons and daughters of the LORD God our Father!
Walk The Walk
GALATIANS 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
We can’t physically walk in two different directions at once – only one direction at a time. It’s the same with the Spirit and the flesh. So, we must: walk spiritually or carnally.
Anytime that treasonous temptations comes slithering into your thoughts, you have the opportunity, the obligation to “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 COR 10:4-5), declare Satan is trespassing on holy property purchased and redeemed by the LORD Jesus Christ’s own blood (1 COR 6:19-20).
We must crucify it on His cross, let it die the death. The flesh may plead, whine, struggle, beg and ask us to let it be, but such cries must fall on sanctified ears that are deaf to their imploring. Rather, without mercy we must drag it to the cross, and see it die. This is what’s called the mortification of the flesh.
MATT 5:29; ROM 6:6; 13:14; GAL 5:16; COL 3:5; 1 PET 4:2.
Then we must ask the LORD to fill the vacancy left by that sinful tendency of our old man with His Holy Spirit and sanctify that region of our soul with His presence so that the nature of Jesus (new man) will be all the more present and our sinful nature less so. This is sanctification. This is growing and living in becoming more like Jesus! Here are some scriptures on the theological truth of sanctification: JOHN 17:19; 1 COR 1:2,30; 6:11; EPH 5:26; 2 TIM 2:21; HEB 2:11; 10:10; 13:12; 1 PET 1:2; JUDE 1:1.
ROMANS 6:8-9
Now if we are dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
Resurrection Power! The resurrection life of Christ works effectively in imparting eternal life given to us by the LORD Jesus Who has overcome – death no longer has dominion over Him, and because of this, death and the sin that causes it, it need not have dominion over us either! Death has been abolished by Christ (2 TIM 1:9-10; REV 21:4). The blessedness of life eternal is not just something that we will enjoy in heaven; this eternal life is something that we as saints of the living God enjoy here and now!
JOHN 17:3This knowledge of God is different than academic, theological knowledge; its knowledge of God in His Person, just as we know the persons of our parents, our brothers and sisters, our children, and our friends. It’s the sort of intimate knowledge that comes through relationship not research; by fellowship, not fact finding (1 JOHN 5:13).
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
ROMANS 6:10-12
For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he lives, he lives unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
The Mark of Maturity – We have the power by the Holy Spirit who raised Christ from the dead, to live our lives just as Jesus did (ROM 8:8-16; 1 JOHN 2:6) – albeit not as perfectly, but we ‘grow in’ maturity as disciples in Christ (2 COR 9:10; EPH 4:15; 1 THESS 3:12; 1 PET 2:2; 2 PET 3:17-18).
Spiritual maturity is associated with having a deeper understanding and relationship with the Word and the LORD, coupled with loving obedience, submission to His will, denying one self and being yielded to the Spirit.
ROMANS 6:13-14Just as we surrendered our lives to the LORD when we heard the Gospel message of salvation, so too we surrender (“yield”) ourselves by faith and allow God’s Spirit to use our members (our bodies and minds) as instruments for righteousness! We are not empowered by the Law to do so; the Law can only reveal the holiness of God and thereby condemn sin – those are its only functions right now. Rather, we acquire the power to live holy, righteous lives by the grace imparted by the LORD. Grace is not only for forgiveness of sin, but empowerment to resist sin (HEB 4:16): “…to find help in time of need.”
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
In these two verses (ROM 6:13-14) we have the same dynamic and spiritual truth as found later in ROM 12:1–2.
ROMANS 6:15-17Our sin bearer Jesus Christ suffered the excruciating cross, all for the sake of delivering us from sin, death, and hell, but also delivering us from the powerful enslavement to sin. How can we then relish sin as believers and drink deeply of iniquity? How can we surrender ourselves back into servitude to sin?
What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
If we obey sin, there will be death – not physical death necessarily (but of course eventually), but the one that obeys the sin of adultery will see the death of their marriage, or health; the drug addict that obeys his sin will most certainly see the death of his health, finances, their law abiding status, etc. The one that obeys the sin of lust in pornography will likewise see the death of their marriage, of wholesome relationships, and eventually may find themselves convicted of the crime of assault, rape, even murder (like Ted Bundy).
Yet those that are obedient to God will find themselves in 'right standing' before the LORD and their fellow man that is, righteousness which in itself is a protection against the destructiveness of sin, that’s rampant in our dying society.
Thanksgiving and Doing “God be thanked” for what He has done for us by offering our very lives to God for His kindness, grace and tender mercies in delivering us from our obstinate rebellion and transgressions! Let’s express our gratitude by honoring Him in our loving obedience “from the heart” (for the saint, there should be no other kind!) to His will, which is for our blessing besides!
“…that form of doctrine delivered to you.” And to think, there are those that say, “doctrine doesn’t matter” or “doctrine is divisive” or “we’ll set doctrine aside for the sake of unity”! Doctrine is vital in the life of the believer, for by the truth that it employs and is inspired by it brings us life and peace, righteousness, and the means to know how to please God with our obedience.
Having “doctrine . . . delivered” to us liberates us from the enslavement of sin as shown in vs. 17 of this passage. Doctrine is not for learning only; consider the first two letters in the word.
JAMES 1:22
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
See also: PHILIPPIANS 4:9
ROMANS 6:18-19
Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
Being a slave of righteousness brings freedom – far more than a deathstyle of sin could ever imagine! Partaking of sin entangles a soul until it suffocates under its oppressive weight. Sin is pleasurable for a season (HEB 11:25), that is until the seeds of such bears its stinking, poisonous fruit of death (MATT 7:17-18)!
Far more blessed is the soul that will follow the LORD, receive salvation, and enter into that blessed rest of the LORD Jesus, embarking on this fantastic journey into eternity where we will know joys sublime, love everlasting, and peace ever enduring (PSALM 1:1-3; MATT 13:23; JOHN 15:5,8)!
“Righteousness unto holiness” – note here the inclination of spiritual progress (the same idea of such progress was brought forth earlier in this study from ROM 1:17 "from faith to faith"). Righteousness is pleasing to the LORD as it entails right standing before God; holiness from our lives is directed to God Himself for His glory.
ROMANS 6:20-22
For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
“Free from righteousness” – we had neither the desire nor maybe even the thought of true righteousness when we were in darkness; it wasn’t until His Spirit began to woo us towards the LORD Jesus for salvation (JOHN 14:17; 16:7-11). Those who reject such wooing remain “free from righteousness” and continue in condemnation (JOHN 3:19).
Vs. 21: Such “fruit” was referred to earlier . . .
“…fruit unto holiness” Have you ever ‘tried’ to be holy? That’s like squeezing the branch of an apple tree and trying to pop an apple out of one of its stems! Holiness cannot come by any self-effort.
As we simply receive God’s Word (the seed that will produce fruit after its own kind, that is godliness, and holiness of Jesus, etc.), seek God in prayer, and remain yielded to Him just as the soil is yielded to the plow, and subsequently the seed of the Sower, the fruit of holiness will simply come super-naturally by God Himself. (GAL 5:22-23; 1 COR 13:4-8a,13; HEB 12:11,14-15).
ROMANS 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Note the contrasts: wages vs. gift; sin vs. Jesus Christ; death vs. eternal life. An unredeemed life will do what comes naturally – sin (that falls short of the glory of God) – “the wages of sin” brings the ‘payment’ of death. Sin separates souls from their Savior (ISA 59:2). He is the only wellspring of life (be it physically or spiritually), separation from this exclusive Bringer of life will bring death. See GEN 2:17; EZEK 18:20; ROM 8: 6; JAMES 5:20; REV 21:8.
God is not seeking payment from us for our sins against Him (the cost is far too high). He paid the debt Himself, through God the Son, Jesus Christ. So like any gift, the Giver offers this freely at no charge to the receiver. This gift of eternal life is bought by Jesus Christ, the only Manufacturer Who can produce this marvelous, inestimably valuable product of perfect salvation! See JOHN 1:4; 10:10; 11:25; 14:6; ROM 5:21; 1 JOHN 5:12.
The King and The Beggar. A King is approached by a beggar who owes a debt he cannot hope to pay in his life time (sounds similar to MATT 18:23-35).
The King forgives the beggar the debt… but then He goes a step further: The beggar is in very poor health and nearly starved, with rags for clothes and nowhere to live but the street. He bathes the beggar in His own royal bathing chambers, treats him with his royal physicians, selects the finest his own wardrobe and dresses the beggar. He brings him to accommodations of his own to live in the palace and dines sumptuously in the King’s dining hall! He sleeps in sublime peace upon a bed with a deep, soft mattress and a pillow to match.
On the next day, the beggar is astounded when some of the Kings servants approach him with papers of adoption for him to sign (ROM 8:15; GAL 4:5), so that he actually becomes the adopted son of the King!
Jesus has forgiven our debt and justified us, but His love for us is far too great than to stop merely here; He longs to feed us of the Bread of Life, and clothe us in His own righteousness, and make such provisions for us that will mean our spiritual well-being.
In lavishing such things upon us and in us, He is bettering our souls so that we not only are delivered from spiritually beggarly surroundings, but also delivered from the beggarly practices, attitudes, deficiencies, and anything else inwardly that makes us a beggar and transforms us into His begotten. This is sanctification, and this is God’s will, our heavenly Abba’s desire for all of His dear children! May the LORD Jesus bless us as we continue to know Him, the fellowship of His sufferings and the power of His resurrection!
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