The book of Romans is a presentation of the work God has accomplished in our lives through Jesus.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
God loved us and showed His love through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jessus. He did this before we knew Him which has caused some to falsely think that sin will not affect their standing with Him.
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Romans 6:1
Paul asks similar questions two other times in the book of Romans.
And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.
Romans 3:8
What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Romans 6:15
If we do not experience questions similar to this, we are not hearing the same Gospel that Paul preached. He had to deal with these questions as referenced above.
The average Christian today has not been exposed to the message of grace. It has become deluded by religious tradition. It is sad to think that most Christians do not realize God loves them regardless of their performance.
Religious tradition has robbed the Church of God’s love and power. It presents Him as being angry and ready to judge us if we make even the smallest mistake. This is not the picture of Him that is painted by Paul!
If we preach the Gospel correctly people will realize that God’s love for us is not based on performance. It is for this reason that Paul had to address the issues posed by his questions of whether we could continue in sin as a result of God’s grace.
The sin nature has been defeated. All sin has been forgiven in Jesus. This includes our past, present, and future sins.
God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Romans 6:2
Here we have Paul’s answer to the question asked in verse one. The Greek words translated here present an absolute negative.
The message of grace is not a license to sin. Paul provides us with two reasons for this in Romans 6. We will discuss each in more detail but the first is that we are dead to sin. The second is that we cede control of our life to whomever we yield to. Satan is the author of sin and so yielding to sin gives him free access to our lives.
God’s love for us is unchanging. He loves us the same whether we are living in sin or pursuing Him with our whole hearts. The problem with sin is not that it affects our standing before God. This is unchanging regardless of what decisions we make. Sin does not affect God’s love for us but it does open the door wide open for Satan to work in our lives.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 10:10
Sin opens the door for Satan to work in our lives. Jesus told His disciples that the thief (i.e., Satan) is focused on stealing, killing, and bringing destruction. These are the things we will experience if we allow ourselves to walk in sin!
God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Romans 6:2
Christians are dead to sin but can still make the choice to live in it. We open the door when the Word of God is not being given a place in our daily lives. Paul’s question seems to make it clear that it is our decision to either walk in sin or not to. God will never override our choices!
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