Continue?

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?

Romans 6:1

When a person becomes a Christian, they are “born again” (John 3:3). They were dead in their sins and now are alive in Christ. However, until we meet Jesus face to face we will struggle with sin. Christians will have a battle with sin as long as we live in these earthly vessels. So, Paul, knowing this, reminds all believers that even as God’s grace has justified us before a holy God, it does not give us permission to continue to sin.

Gnosticism was perhaps the most dangerous heresy that threatened the early church during the first three centuries. Gnostics assert that matter is inherently evil and spirit is good. As a result of this presupposition, Gnostics believe anything done in the body, even the grossest sin, has no meaning because real life exists in the spirit realm only. Paul was making sure that believers did not take God's grace and mercy for granted.

You may find it hard to believe that we would have to worry about people believing in Gnosticism today. But ask yourself, have you ever sinned knowing that what you were doing was a sin against God but did it anyway? Did you say to yourself, “I know this is wrong, but I will ask God to forgive me later.” 

Paul reminds us, continuing in Romans 6:2-4, “By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?  Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.  Since we have been justified by the death of Christ we should strive to walk in newness of life. No, this does not mean we will live sinless lives, but we should sin less as we grow in our sanctification. Sanctification” is a translation of the Greek word hagiasmos, meaning “holiness” or “a separation.” In the past, God granted us justification, a once-for-all, positional holiness in Christ. Now, God guides us to maturity, a practical, progressive holiness. In the future, God will give us glorification, a permanent, ultimate holiness. These three phases of sanctification separate the believer from the penalty of sin (justification), the power of sin (maturity), and the presence of sin (glorification).

As we seek to live holy lives it is good to remind ourselves of Pauls’ question, What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?” and his answer, By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

Your Shepherd,

Pastor Mark