Freedom from Sin Through Union with Christ

 

Summary

In Romans 6:7, Paul asserts that those who have died are freed from sin. To understand this, we must consider the context of Romans 6, which is rich with theological significance. Paul is addressing a misunderstanding of his teaching on grace, where some believed that grace encouraged sin. He refutes this by explaining that Christians, having died to sin, cannot continue living in it. This death to sin is not merely metaphorical but a profound spiritual reality that occurs through our union with Christ. Just as we were once united with Adam, leading to sin and death, we are now united with Christ, leading to righteousness and life.

Paul elaborates that our "old man," the person we were in Adam, was crucified with Christ. This is a completed action, signifying that our old self, enslaved to sin, is gone. This does not mean our old nature is eradicated, but rather, our identity in Adam is no more. The "body of sin" refers to our physical bodies as instruments of sin, which are now rendered powerless. This understanding liberates us from the tyranny of sin, allowing us to live as new creations in Christ.

The distinction between the "old man" and the "old nature" is crucial. The old man is our former identity in Adam, while the old nature is the residual sin in our bodies. Recognizing this helps us understand that while sin remains in our mortal bodies, it no longer defines us. We are new creations, empowered to overcome sin because our old self is dead.

Paul's argument is that death severs the power of sin. Just as a dead person is free from the jurisdiction of sin, so are we, having died with Christ. This freedom is not just from sin's guilt but also from its dominion. Our justification is not based on our death to sin but on God's declaration. This truth assures us of our salvation, even when we struggle with sin.

Key Takeaways:

- Our union with Christ means our old self, once enslaved to sin, is crucified with Him. This profound spiritual reality liberates us from sin's dominion, allowing us to live as new creations. [05:45]

- The distinction between the "old man" and the "old nature" is vital. The old man, our identity in Adam, is gone, while the old nature, the residual sin, remains in our bodies. Understanding this helps us live victoriously. [09:13]

- Death to sin is not merely metaphorical but a spiritual reality. Just as a dead person is free from sin's jurisdiction, so are we, having died with Christ. This freedom is from both sin's guilt and dominion. [38:05]

- Our justification is not based on our death to sin but on God's declaration. This assures us of our salvation, even amidst struggles with sin, and empowers us to live in the freedom Christ provides. [33:30]

- Recognizing our new identity in Christ helps us overcome sin. We are no longer defined by our old self but are new creations, empowered to live righteously and assured of our ultimate glorification. [23:05]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Context of Romans 6:7
- [00:55] - Importance of Understanding the Argument
- [02:07] - The Complexity of Romans 6
- [03:10] - The False Charge Against Paul
- [05:07] - Union with Christ
- [06:53] - Negative and Positive Propositions
- [08:13] - The Old Man and the Old Nature
- [10:00] - The Certainty of Salvation
- [11:09] - Rejecting Sinless Perfection
- [12:32] - Ephesians 4:22-24 Explained
- [15:17] - Conduct vs. Identity
- [17:13] - The Body of Sin
- [19:02] - Practical Implications
- [23:05] - Assurance of Salvation
- [38:05] - Freed from Sin's Dominion
- [45:38] - Conclusion and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 6:7 - "For he that is dead is freed from sin."
2. Ephesians 4:22-24 - "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
3. 1 Peter 4:1-2 - "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God."

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Romans 6:7, what is the significance of being "freed from sin" through death? How does this relate to our spiritual reality in Christ? [38:05]

2. In Ephesians 4:22-24, what does Paul mean by "putting off the old man" and "putting on the new man"? How does this relate to our identity in Christ? [15:17]

3. How does 1 Peter 4:1-2 describe the relationship between suffering in the flesh and ceasing from sin? What mindset are believers encouraged to adopt? [46:56]

4. What distinction does the sermon make between the "old man" and the "old nature"? How does this distinction help us understand our identity in Christ? [09:13]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of being "freed from sin" in Romans 6:7 challenge or affirm your understanding of salvation and sanctification? [38:05]

2. In what ways does the exhortation to "put off the old man" in Ephesians 4:22-24 impact our daily conduct and spiritual growth? How does this align with the sermon’s explanation? [15:17]

3. How does the sermon explain the idea that death severs the power of sin, and how does this understanding affect our view of sin's dominion in our lives? [38:05]

4. What practical implications can be drawn from the sermon’s explanation of our union with Christ and the resulting freedom from sin's dominion? [19:02]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt enslaved by a particular sin. How does understanding your identity as a new creation in Christ empower you to overcome it? [19:45]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing our new identity in Christ. What steps can you take this week to remind yourself of this truth daily? [23:05]

3. How can you practically "put off the old man" in your daily life, especially in areas where you struggle with sin? What specific actions will you take to "put on the new man"? [15:17]

4. Consider the distinction between the "old man" and the "old nature." How does this understanding help you deal with feelings of guilt or inadequacy when you fall into sin? [09:13]

5. The sermon suggests that our justification is based on God's declaration, not our death to sin. How does this assurance of salvation influence your response to personal failures? [33:30]

6. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel the "old nature" is still present. What practical steps can you take to address this area and live more fully in your new identity? [20:37]

7. How can the truth that you are "freed from sin's dominion" change the way you approach spiritual disciplines and your relationship with God? [38:05]

Devotional

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Quotes


Now then here is the main idea the Apostle is setting out to refute this false charge that is being brought against him people are saying ah this man's preaching of justification and about Grace Super abounding and reigning unto righteousness is just a plain faced incitement to sin the only conclusion to draw from this teaching they said is well let us continue in sin that Grace May abound where sin aboundeth Grace does much more abound therefore let us continue in sin that Grace May abound and superabound in this way. [00:03:57]

The Apostle is showing us here now how step by step and Stage by stage we understand that and how it's being carried out now then I say the old men does not mean the old nature and I'm saying that for this reason if it does mean the old nature well then the Apostle is saying this knowing that our old nature was once and forever crucified died buried with Christ it's just gone completely that I say leads to but one thing and that is sinless perfection it means that there is no sin in us any longer. [00:10:37]

The Apostle is just making a general statement he says you know surely for he says isn't it something exetic something which we can all see at a glance that the moment a man dies well he's just outside that realm altogether so a modern translator has translated it very well like this he says once a man has died he is quit he is quit of the claims of sin upon him and I believe that is the correct translation once a man dies you can no longer charge him with the guilt of sin. [00:39:38]

The Apostle is here I suggest not referring to us a Paul he is making a general statement he is not referring here to those of us who have died with Christ because what he says is this he that has died he doesn't add with Christ but all the people who accept the other Exposition have to say with Christ died with him or with Christ but the Apostle didn't say that he that has died he says and he means what he says if he had meant those who have died with Christ he would have continued saying we or all of us or so many of us as have died with Christ. [00:36:52]

The Apostle is showing us is this that because we are united with Christ we have died with him and therefore as is true of any man who dies we are entirely outside that realm of sin in other words you see we are back again to the statement that he made at the beginning in verse two God forbid how shall we the die to sin live any longer therein and you remember our interpretation we said die to sin means this died to the realm and the rule and the power and the reign of sin. [00:41:57]

The Apostle wants to establish in Romans 6 verse 1 to the end of verse 14 is that we as persons have entirely finished with the rule the Reign the Dominion of sin he says as far as all that is concerned we've got nothing to do with it if you like to say so we are Justified from it I prefer to say we are freed from it we've entirely finished with it not only its guilt but its power it's everything we are no longer in that realm our old manners died with Christ. [00:45:16]

The Apostle is going to say in this glorious statement in verse 14 sin shall not have dominion over you for you are not under the law but under grace very well then there is an exact parallel in the statement made by the Apostle Peter they're both saying the same thing and the thing they're saying is this that the man who has died with Christ has once and forever as a being as an entity as a soul finished with sin he should never again raise the question of his justification or or of his forgiveness or of his final arrival in glory. [00:48:21]

The Apostle is saying this he says is the way of Salvation can't you realize it he says that yourself your old self is gone never think of yourself in those terms again now I I really am yielding to a very wrong kind of pressure this idea to go on to the Practical before we finish the theoretical but lest somebody is really unhappy about all this I say this for your encouragement and uh for your comfort just as we go along this is how it works out. [00:21:55]

The Apostle is saying what the authorized translation makes him say the authorized translation is absolutely right a man who dies is free free altogether from sin and all its realm and its territory in every single respect it has no power whatsoever with respect to him so that I can now put verses 6 and S together for you like this our old man was crucified with Christ in order that we might be delivered in every respect from the slavery of sin because every man who has died is entirely free from the power and the Reign and the slavy and the tyranny of sin. [00:40:10]

The Apostle is saying here is this therefore that all of us who have died with Christ have been Justified from the guilt of sin then they try to go go on and argue like this they're in difficulties because they can see that that isn't the matter that the Apostle is dealing with here at all so they have to go on then to say this why does he say that well he says it for this reason because we have been Justified from the guilt of sin we are once more in a living relationship with God and therefore we can now be blessed with by God we can therefore receive power from God. [00:28:19]

The Apostle is saying in Ephesians 4:22 he says you have been born again you are old men has been was crucified with Christ well don't go on behaving as if the old men were still there be what you are don't be what you're not don't be a baby he's not telling the men to put off babyhood the man's already long since left babyhood it's because he's a man you tell him don't be a baby now that's Ephesians 4:22 to 25 in other words there is no contradiction here the context makes the thing abundantly plain and clear. [00:16:06]

The Apostle is saying in Ephesians 4:22 is this is what we say to a grownup adult men who may be filled with a spirit of fear and is whimpering and crying we say to him don't be a baby what we mean is this you are not a baby therefore don't behave as if you were a baby now that's exactly what Paul is saying in Ephesians 4:22 he says you have been born again you are old men has been was crucified with Christ well don't go on behaving as if the old men were still there be what you are don't be what you're not. [00:15:46]

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Transcript
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