Transformed by Grace: From Slaves to Righteousness
Summary
In Romans chapter 6, Paul addresses profound questions that arise from the gospel of grace. These questions are not merely rhetorical but are genuine inquiries that challenge our understanding of grace and its implications on our lives. The first question Paul tackles is whether we should continue sinning so that grace may abound. The answer is a resounding "no." We have died to sin, and thus, living in it is no longer an option. Our flesh resists the gospel of grace because it desires to contribute to its own salvation, seeking credit for both justification and sanctification. However, the gospel is clear: salvation is entirely by grace, and sanctification follows as a natural consequence of being justified.
Paul further explores the concept of being under grace rather than the law. This raises another question: does being under grace mean we can live however we want? Again, the answer is "no." While we are free from the law, our nature has been transformed. We are no longer slaves to sin but slaves to righteousness. This transformation changes our desires and inclinations, aligning them with God's will. Paul emphasizes that this is not a choice between being a slave to sin or righteousness; rather, it is a reality of our new identity in Christ.
The doctrine of the perseverance of the saints is also addressed. It is not about a superficial "once saved, always saved" mentality but about a genuine transformation that leads to perseverance in faith and holiness. True believers are preserved by God's power and will inevitably walk in righteousness. This is not a result of our efforts but a work of God in us.
Paul contrasts our past life as slaves to sin with our new life as slaves to righteousness. Our former life was marked by impurity, lawlessness, shame, and ultimately death. But now, we have been liberated, justified, and are being sanctified. This transformation is not just a future hope but a present reality. Our sanctification and eventual glorification are as certain as our past enslavement to sin was. This assurance is rooted in God's eternal decree and His unchangeable love for us.
Key Takeaways:
- The gospel of grace challenges our flesh, which desires to contribute to its own salvation. True understanding of grace requires acknowledging that both justification and sanctification are works of God, not of ourselves. [02:38]
- Being under grace does not mean living without restraint. Our new nature in Christ changes our desires, making us slaves to righteousness rather than sin. This transformation is a testament to the power of grace in our lives. [12:38]
- The doctrine of the perseverance of the saints emphasizes that true believers will persevere in faith and holiness. This is not due to our efforts but because of God's eternal decree and His work in us. [07:47]
- Our past life as slaves to sin was characterized by impurity, lawlessness, shame, and death. In contrast, our new life in Christ brings liberation, justification, and sanctification, leading to eternal life. [40:20]
- Sanctification is an inevitable reality for believers, just as death was inevitable for us as slaves to sin. This assurance is rooted in God's promise and His work in us, not in our own efforts or feelings. [46:45]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:57] - Legitimate Questions of Grace
- [02:38] - The Gospel of Grace and Our Flesh
- [03:30] - Under Grace, Not Law
- [04:42] - Misunderstanding Salvation
- [06:19] - Perseverance of the Saints
- [09:09] - Justification and Sanctification
- [10:26] - Slaves to Righteousness
- [12:01] - Freedom from the Law
- [12:38] - Changed Desires in Christ
- [14:24] - Speaking to Believers
- [16:49] - From Slaves to Sin to Slaves to Righteousness
- [19:13] - Thanks Be to God
- [20:29] - Obedience from the Heart
- [22:02] - Love God, Love People
- [24:46] - Presenting Ourselves to Righteousness
- [26:28] - The Reality of Sin
- [29:36] - Intrinsic Sinfulness
- [31:56] - Outward Restraint vs. Inward Change
- [34:58] - Political Solutions and the Gospel
- [35:43] - The Mercy of Shame
- [38:33] - True Evangelical Shame
- [40:20] - Death as a Slave to Sin
- [41:57] - Liberation and Justification
- [44:48] - Sanctification and Eternal Life
- [46:45] - Assurance of Sanctification
- [49:10] - Predestined for Sanctification
- [51:44] - The Reality of Justification
- [54:04] - Living as Slaves to Righteousness
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Romans 6:15-23
- Ephesians 2:1-3
- Colossians 2:13
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#### Observation Questions
1. What question does Paul address in Romans 6:15, and how does he respond to it? [03:30]
2. According to the sermon, what is the difference between being a slave to sin and a slave to righteousness? [12:01]
3. How does the sermon describe the transformation that occurs when one becomes a believer? [13:41]
4. What does the sermon say about the concept of "once saved, always saved"? [06:19]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon explain the relationship between justification and sanctification? [09:09]
2. What does it mean to be "under grace" rather than "under law," according to the sermon? [12:38]
3. How does the sermon interpret the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints? [07:47]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our new identity in Christ changes our desires and actions? [13:41]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the need to contribute to your own salvation. How can you better embrace the gospel of grace in your daily life? [02:38]
2. How do you currently view the concept of being a "slave to righteousness"? What practical steps can you take to live out this identity more fully? [12:01]
3. The sermon discusses the inevitability of sanctification for believers. How can you remind yourself of this truth when you feel discouraged in your spiritual growth? [46:45]
4. Consider the transformation from impurity and lawlessness to righteousness. What areas of your life still reflect your old nature, and how can you address them? [26:28]
5. How does understanding the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints impact your view of your own faith journey? [07:47]
6. The sermon mentions that our new nature in Christ changes our desires. Identify one desire that has changed since you became a believer and how it has affected your life. [12:38]
7. How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of God's grace in your life, especially in moments when you feel self-reliant or prideful? [47:40]
Devotional
Day 1: Grace Resists Human Effort
The gospel of grace challenges our natural inclination to earn our salvation. Our flesh desires to contribute to its own salvation, seeking credit for both justification and sanctification. However, true understanding of grace requires acknowledging that both justification and sanctification are works of God, not of ourselves. This realization is humbling and liberating, as it shifts the focus from our efforts to God's unmerited favor. Embracing this truth allows us to rest in the assurance that our salvation is secure, not because of what we have done, but because of what Christ has accomplished on our behalf. [02:38]
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you still trying to earn God's favor? How can you surrender these areas to His grace today?
Day 2: Transformation Under Grace
Being under grace does not mean living without restraint. Our new nature in Christ changes our desires, making us slaves to righteousness rather than sin. This transformation is a testament to the power of grace in our lives. As we embrace our identity in Christ, our desires and inclinations align with God's will, leading us to live in a way that honors Him. This is not a burden but a joyful response to the grace we have received. Our freedom from the law is not a license to sin but an invitation to live in the fullness of life that God intends for us. [12:38]
"For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." (Romans 6:14, ESV)
Reflection: What desires or habits in your life need to be transformed by God's grace? How can you actively pursue righteousness in these areas today?
Day 3: Perseverance Through Divine Power
The doctrine of the perseverance of the saints emphasizes that true believers will persevere in faith and holiness. This perseverance is not due to our efforts but because of God's eternal decree and His work in us. It is a genuine transformation that leads to a life marked by faithfulness and holiness. This assurance is rooted in God's power, which preserves us and enables us to walk in righteousness. As we rely on His strength, we can be confident that He will complete the work He has begun in us, leading us to eternal life. [07:47]
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you seen God's preserving power at work in your life? How can you trust Him more deeply in areas where you struggle to persevere?
Day 4: From Slavery to Freedom
Our past life as slaves to sin was characterized by impurity, lawlessness, shame, and death. In contrast, our new life in Christ brings liberation, justification, and sanctification, leading to eternal life. This transformation is not just a future hope but a present reality. As we embrace our new identity in Christ, we experience the freedom and joy that comes from living in alignment with God's purposes. This new life is marked by a growing desire to live righteously and a deepening relationship with God, who empowers us to walk in His ways. [40:20]
"But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life." (Romans 6:22, ESV)
Reflection: How does your life reflect the freedom and transformation you have in Christ? What steps can you take to live more fully in this new identity today?
Day 5: Assurance of Sanctification
Sanctification is an inevitable reality for believers, just as death was inevitable for us as slaves to sin. This assurance is rooted in God's promise and His work in us, not in our own efforts or feelings. As we grow in our relationship with Christ, we can be confident that He is transforming us into His likeness. This process of sanctification is a journey that requires our cooperation with the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live in obedience to God's will. Our assurance of sanctification is not based on our performance but on God's faithfulness to complete the work He has begun in us. [46:45]
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways do you see God transforming you into His likeness? How can you actively participate in the process of sanctification in your daily life?
Quotes
And as we look at these questions, what I want us to realize is a number of things. First is this, Paul is dealing with legitimate questions. He is answering legitimate questions that are posed as a result of the gospel that he proclaims. [00:00:13] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
The idea of once saved, always saved accompanies a faulty idea of salvation. So when somebody says, are you saying once saved, always saved? Here's what they do. First, they define salvation by you acting upon your will, walking an aisle, and just take your pick. Inviting Jesus into your heart, asking Jesus into your heart, committing your life to Christ. [00:05:20] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
That's what the gospel requires, by the way. That we repent of our sin, that we turn from our sin, and that we believe what the gospel is communicating to us about Christ. That we believe in Jesus Christ and trust in him alone for salvation, as the catechism says. Right, boys and girls? [00:06:00] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
You will walk in righteousness if you are saved. You will walk in holiness if you are saved. You will be conformed to the image of Christ if you are saved. You will. You must. It will happen. Why? Because you've died to sin. [00:09:28] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
He's not saying, oh, Christian, you can either be a slave. No, he's saying Christian. Remember, you used to be a slave to sin, but now you're a slave to righteousness. [00:12:01] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Part of being a Christian means we get a new nature. If any man is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away. New things have come. Can I live any way I want? Absolutely. But the beauty of being in Christ is that. He changes what it is that you want. He changes your very appetites. [00:12:46] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
The one who declared you righteous has as much spoken that into your heart, into reality, as he spoke this world into existence. And he will bring it to pass. He will conform you to the image of his son, because he loves his son. [00:53:18] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
He will present you faultless before his throne. Why? Because you're his people, that's why. He will say to it that you are victorious. And move... than a conqueror. Why? Because you impressed him? No, because he chose you. [00:53:26] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
That's why. He liberated you. And you're no longer a slave to sin. You've been set free. Not autonomous. Because now you're a slave to righteousness. [00:54:17] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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