A Study of The Book of Romans

Lesson 40 Chapter 6:15 – 18

 

  1. Verse 15, 16 "What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. (16.) 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?"
    1. In verse 15 the question is almost like verse 1 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?” However the question has changed just a little.

a.       In verse 1 Paul was asked, since grace abounds more than sin shouldn’t we sin more to glorify God’s abundant grace? And Paul’s reply was NO!

b.      Here the question is, since we are not under the law then maybe we ought to sin more, besides what does it really matter? Paul gave another big NO!

c.       Sin is never ok with God, Please understand God hates sin because sin separates us from God and God punishes sin.

d.      Let us never forget what God told us in John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments."    

e.       But our glorious and loving God will forgive our sins, even those sins out of ignorance. 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

    1. But Paul continues to answer in verse 16 “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?"

a.       If sin is good with you then you have returned to be a servant of sin and Satan the father of sin.

b.      Sin and God do not go together; we cannot serve God and sin. God is not pleased with them that go to the bar on Saturday night and church on Sunday morning and etc.

c.        Matthew 6:24 “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

d.      We are a servant to whom we serve, sin or righteousness. Jesus said; John 8:34 “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.”

e.       God said we serve one master; is it God and righteousness or is it Satan and sin?

f.       The word “obey” means to whom ye come under subjection. That is, you are bound to obey his requirements.

  1. Verse 17 “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.”
    1. “But God be thanked…” That is because He is the One that is totally responsible for saving your soul and calling you out of sin. He is the single reason you can now worship to please Him instead of sin. He is the single reason sin does not have to have an affect on us anymore.
    2. “…that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” Please notice the word “were” as in no more.
    3. What does Paul mean by “but ye have obeyed from the heart”, that would be the “inner man” or that living spirit that now lives within your body. Dead it was but now you can obey it because it lives; yes thank you God!
    4. “but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” That is to your heart from the Holy Spirit right to your heart. Man may have taught it but the Holy Spirit is the true teacher, He teaches the heart.
    5. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.” Sin will cause us not to “stand fast”
    6. To stand fast is to love the Lord Matthew 22:37 “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” How can we do this if we live sinful lives? 
    7. The Lord commanded that we stay away from sin and those that sin. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.”
  2. Verse 18 “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”
    1. Since God has made us free from sin; or delivered us from sins headship; or made sin no longer our master; we no longer have to be a slave to it. Lost people cannot resist it, we can. John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 
    2. So we are no longer slaves to sin but now slaves to righteousness. We can now live Christian lives and please the Lord.