Living in the Reality of Grace's Reign
Summary
In this sermon, I explored the profound theological concept of being "dead to sin" as articulated by the Apostle Paul. The central argument is that believers in Christ have experienced a fundamental transformation that removes them from the reign and rule of sin, placing them instead under the reign of grace. This is not merely a call to moral improvement or a suggestion that Christians should strive to be dead to sin; rather, it is a declaration of a spiritual reality that has already occurred. The Apostle Paul uses the aorist tense to emphasize that this death to sin is a completed action, a historical fact that defines the believer's new identity in Christ.
I critiqued several interpretations of this passage, including those of Charles Hodge and Robert Haldane, arguing that they do not fully capture the depth of Paul's message. The emphasis is not on what believers do, such as renouncing sin, but on what has been done to them through Christ's death and resurrection. This transformation is not just about being free from the guilt of sin but also from its dominion and power. The reign of grace is a powerful force that guarantees the believer's ultimate salvation and sanctification.
The sermon also addressed common objections and misunderstandings, such as the notion that being dead to sin implies sinlessness. Instead, it is about a change in status and position, akin to a slave being legally freed but needing to realize and live out that freedom. The believer's struggle with sin is not a contradiction of this truth but a call to reckon with and live out the reality of being under grace's reign.
Key Takeaways:
- The believer's death to sin is a completed action, a historical fact that defines their new identity in Christ. This is not about striving to be dead to sin but recognizing a transformation that has already occurred. [15:47]
- The reign of grace is a powerful force that guarantees the believer's ultimate salvation and sanctification. It is not merely about forgiveness but about being under a new dominion that ensures spiritual growth and victory over sin. [37:13]
- The struggle with sin does not negate the believer's freedom from its reign. Like a freed slave who must learn to live in freedom, Christians must reckon with their new status and live out the reality of being under grace's reign. [46:31]
- The Apostle Paul's message is not about moral improvement but about a spiritual reality that has already occurred. Believers are called to realize and live out this truth, not to achieve it through their efforts. [51:09]
- The reign of grace is infinitely more powerful than the reign of sin. Where sin abounded, grace abounds much more, ensuring that the believer's final salvation is certain and guaranteed. [43:40]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [14:01] - The Misinterpretation of Perfectionism
- [15:05] - The True Meaning of Being Dead to Sin
- [17:12] - Critique of Charles Hodge's Interpretation
- [19:23] - The Uniqueness of Our Position in Christ
- [21:55] - The Fear of Antinomianism
- [24:33] - The Power of Grace Over Sin
- [27:35] - The Reign of Sin vs. The Reign of Grace
- [30:15] - Differentiating Position and Experience
- [33:47] - Transference from Darkness to Light
- [36:44] - The Positive Aspect of Grace's Reign
- [39:35] - The Impossibility of Continuing in Sin
- [42:44] - The Power of Grace in the Believer's Life
- [46:31] - Realizing Our Freedom from Sin
- [51:09] - Believing the Staggering Truth of Grace
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 6:1-14
2. Colossians 1:13
3. Philippians 3:20
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Observation Questions:
1. In Romans 6:1-14, what does Paul mean when he says believers are "dead to sin"? How does this relate to the concept of being under the "reign of grace"? [26:12]
2. According to Colossians 1:13, what significant change occurs in the life of a believer? How does this passage describe the transition from one realm to another? [31:56]
3. Philippians 3:20 mentions our "citizenship is in heaven." How does this idea of citizenship relate to the believer's identity and position in Christ? [34:03]
4. The sermon critiques interpretations by Charles Hodge and Robert Haldane. What are the main points of disagreement with their interpretations regarding being "dead to sin"? [19:23]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being "dead to sin" as a completed action affect a believer's understanding of their identity in Christ? [15:47]
2. What does it mean for grace to be a "powerful force" that guarantees salvation and sanctification? How does this understanding impact a believer's daily life? [37:13]
3. The sermon suggests that the struggle with sin is not a contradiction of being under grace. How can believers reconcile their ongoing struggles with sin with their new identity in Christ? [46:31]
4. How does the idea of being transferred from the "reign of sin" to the "reign of grace" challenge or affirm your understanding of salvation and sanctification? [26:12]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by sin. How can the truth of being "dead to sin" and under the "reign of grace" change your perspective in similar situations? [15:47]
2. The sermon emphasizes the power of grace over sin. Identify an area in your life where you need to experience this power. What steps can you take to invite God's grace into that area? [37:13]
3. Consider the analogy of a freed slave learning to live in freedom. Are there areas in your life where you still live as if you are under the "reign of sin"? How can you begin to live out your freedom in Christ? [46:31]
4. How does understanding your "citizenship in heaven" influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? What practical changes can you make to align more closely with this identity? [34:03]
5. The sermon challenges believers to "reckon" with their new status in Christ. What practical steps can you take this week to remind yourself of your identity in Christ and live accordingly? [50:53]
6. How can you support others in your community who are struggling to realize their freedom in Christ? What role can you play in encouraging them to live under the "reign of grace"? [46:31]
7. Reflect on the idea that grace is a "tremendous power" working in you. How can you cultivate a greater awareness of this power in your life, especially in moments of weakness or temptation? [38:28]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ
Believers in Christ have undergone a profound transformation, a spiritual reality that has already occurred. This transformation is not about striving to be dead to sin but recognizing that they are already dead to sin through Christ's death and resurrection. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this completed action using the aorist tense, highlighting that it is a historical fact that defines the believer's new identity. This new identity is not about moral improvement but about living in the truth of what has been accomplished through Christ. [15:47]
Romans 6:6-7 (ESV): "We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin."
Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself daily of your new identity in Christ, and how does this truth impact your actions and decisions today?
Day 2: The Reign of Grace Over Sin
The reign of grace is a powerful force that guarantees the believer's ultimate salvation and sanctification. It is not merely about forgiveness but about being under a new dominion that ensures spiritual growth and victory over sin. This reign of grace is infinitely more powerful than the reign of sin, ensuring that where sin abounded, grace abounds much more. Believers are called to live in the assurance that their final salvation is certain and guaranteed through the power of grace. [37:13]
Titus 2:11-12 (ESV): "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age."
Reflection: How can you actively rely on the power of grace in your life today to overcome a specific sin or struggle you are facing?
Day 3: Living Out Our Freedom from Sin
The struggle with sin does not negate the believer's freedom from its reign. Like a freed slave who must learn to live in freedom, Christians must reckon with their new status and live out the reality of being under grace's reign. This involves a conscious effort to realize and live out the truth of their freedom, even amidst ongoing struggles with sin. The believer's journey is about embracing this freedom and allowing it to transform their daily life. [46:31]
Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to live out your freedom in Christ, especially in an area where you feel bound or restricted?
Day 4: Realizing the Staggering Truth of Grace
The Apostle Paul's message is not about moral improvement but about a spiritual reality that has already occurred. Believers are called to realize and live out this truth, not to achieve it through their efforts. The reign of grace is a powerful force that guarantees the believer's ultimate salvation and sanctification. This truth is staggering and calls for a deep realization and acceptance of what has been accomplished through Christ. [51:09]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: How can you deepen your understanding and acceptance of the grace that has been given to you, and how does this change the way you view your relationship with God?
Day 5: The Abundance of Grace Over Sin
The reign of grace is infinitely more powerful than the reign of sin. Where sin abounded, grace abounds much more, ensuring that the believer's final salvation is certain and guaranteed. This abundance of grace is a source of hope and assurance for believers, reminding them that their struggles with sin are not the end of the story. The power of grace is sufficient to overcome any sin and to lead believers into a life of victory and spiritual growth. [43:40]
Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV): "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced the abundance of God's grace in your life. How can this memory encourage you to trust in His grace for your current challenges?
Quotes
The Apostle does not say that in the continuous present we are dying more and more into sin. The people who put that explanation forward, you see, took this authorized translation instead of realizing that it was the aorist. We are not dying more and more into sin. That isn't what Paul says. He says you died unto sin. [00:16:26]
Charles Hodge tells us that it means this: he says, "How shall we that have renounced sin live any longer therein?" You see, that's his way of putting it. What he's saying is this: he says now a man who's a Christian, by the very fact that he claims to be a Christian, is a man who is saying that he has renounced sin. [00:17:41]
The Apostle is not talking about something that we are doing but something that's happened to us. He realizes that there is a very real death to sin here. The Apostle says we die to sin. Very well, says Haldane, very rightly, there is some sense in which we must have died to sin. What is it? [00:22:43]
In what sense has the believer, the Christian, died to sin? The answer is in verse 21 of chapter 5: that as sin reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. In what sense I, as a Christian, died to sin? I answer: I have died to the reign of sin. [00:25:30]
The reign of sin means its rule, its power, its realm. We spend time in expounding it back in last May, and the reign of grace means exactly the same. It means the power, the influence, the force, the might, the dynamic, and all the rest of it. [00:28:10]
Every person in the world at this minute is either under the reign and the rule of sin or else under the reign and rule of grace. And what he says about the Christian is you were once under the rule and reign of sin; you are now under the rule and reign of grace. [00:30:45]
We are not only dead to the reign of sin; we are under the reign of grace and all that that means in terms of power. In other words, what the Apostle is telling us here is this: that we're not merely forgiven. It isn't merely that our sins have been forgiven. [00:36:44]
The reign of grace is a very powerful reign, and it's as powerful as this, says the Apostle, that it is guaranteed to produce certain results. Now, the reign of sin produced results. The reign of sin caused death to pass upon every one of us. [00:37:16]
The Apostle is not merely telling us that we ought not to sin. He's not merely saying that we ought not to continue in sin. He's not saying that it's self-contradictory of us, as Charles Hodge puts it, if we do go on sinning in view of the fact that we've renounced sin. [00:43:40]
The Apostle is not saying that we are sinless. Is that clear? He is not saying that we are sinless, but he is saying that we are out of the territory, out of the kingdom, out of the realm, out of the rule and the reign of sin. [00:45:51]
The whole of the object of the Apostle in this sixth chapter is just to get us to realize it. Reckon yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin. You are. Realize it. Reckon it and alive unto God through our Lord Jesus Christ. [00:51:09]
When you became a Christian, you ceased to be under the rule and the reign in the realm of sin. It's a fact. He's not talking about your experience. He's telling you something that's true of you, that you've been translated by the Holy Spirit from there to here. [00:51:09]
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