Understanding Grace: Union with Christ and Holiness

 

Summary

In our study of Romans 6, we delve into the Apostle Paul's profound exploration of the relationship between sin, grace, and the believer's life. This chapter is often misunderstood, as it is frequently seen as a standalone discourse on sanctification. However, it is crucial to recognize that Paul is not introducing a new section but rather continuing his argument from Romans 5. The theme of assurance and certainty of salvation, established through justification by faith, is central to this discussion. Paul emphasizes that justification is not an isolated event but a guarantee of our ultimate glorification.

Paul anticipates a potential misunderstanding of his teaching on grace, particularly the notion that grace might encourage sin. This misunderstanding, known as antinomianism, suggests that if grace abounds where sin increases, then sinning more would lead to more grace. Paul vehemently rejects this idea, asserting that such a view reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the purpose of grace and the believer's union with Christ. Grace is not a license to sin but a transformative power that delivers us from the reign of sin and places us under the reign of grace.

In Romans 6, Paul addresses this misunderstanding by explaining the believer's union with Christ. This union signifies that believers have died to sin and are now alive in Christ. This death to sin is not a gradual process but a definitive event that occurred when we were transferred from being in Adam to being in Christ. This transformation is foundational to understanding the Christian life, as it underscores the absurdity of continuing in sin.

Paul's argument in Romans 6 is not merely theoretical but deeply practical. He divides the chapter into two sections: the first (verses 1-14) addresses the doctrinal implications of our union with Christ, while the second (verses 15-23) explores the practical outworking of this truth. By doing so, Paul demonstrates that the gospel of grace, far from promoting sin, calls us to a life of holiness and righteousness.

Key Takeaways:

- The continuity between Romans 5 and 6 highlights that justification by faith is not an isolated event but a guarantee of our ultimate glorification. This assurance is rooted in our union with Christ, which transforms our relationship with sin and grace. [10:29]

- Antinomianism, the belief that grace encourages sin, is a misunderstanding of the gospel. True grace delivers us from the reign of sin and places us under the reign of grace, leading to a life of holiness. [13:19]

- Our union with Christ signifies a definitive break from sin. This is not a gradual process but a past event that occurred when we were transferred from being in Adam to being in Christ. Understanding this is crucial for living a victorious Christian life. [37:33]

- The gospel of grace is inherently transformative. It calls us to live in the newness of life, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and to reject the old ways of sin. This transformation is both doctrinal and practical, affecting every aspect of our lives. [20:24]

- Preaching the true gospel of grace may lead to misunderstandings, but it is essential to remain faithful to the message that salvation is entirely by grace through faith. This message, though seemingly dangerous, is the power of God for salvation. [29:19]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Romans 6
- [00:31] - Common Misunderstandings
- [01:14] - The Theme of Sanctification
- [02:08] - Misclassification of Romans
- [03:22] - Continuation from Chapter 5
- [04:44] - Connection to Previous Themes
- [06:19] - Assurance of Salvation
- [08:43] - Union with Christ
- [11:50] - Addressing Misunderstandings
- [13:19] - The Danger of Antinomianism
- [15:01] - Chapters 6 and 7 as a Parenthesis
- [18:35] - Division of Chapter 6
- [20:24] - Doctrinal and Practical Sections
- [23:24] - The Question of Sin and Grace
- [31:25] - The Apostle's Strong Rejection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Romans 6

Bible Reading:
- Romans 6:1-23
- Romans 5:20-21
- Romans 8:1

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Observation Questions:

1. What is the main question Paul raises at the beginning of Romans 6, and why does he feel the need to address it? ([00:12])

2. How does Paul describe the relationship between sin and grace in Romans 5:20-21, and how does this set the stage for his argument in Romans 6? ([09:36])

3. What are the two sections of Romans 6, and how does Paul differentiate between them in terms of content and focus? ([19:19])

4. How does Paul use the concept of "union with Christ" to explain the believer's relationship to sin? ([20:24])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why does Paul strongly reject the idea that grace encourages sin, and what does this reveal about his understanding of grace? ([31:25])

2. How does the concept of being "dead to sin" challenge common misconceptions about the Christian life and sanctification? ([37:33])

3. In what ways does Paul argue that the gospel of grace is transformative rather than permissive? How does this transformation manifest in a believer's life? ([34:06])

4. How does Paul’s teaching in Romans 6 relate to the assurance of salvation discussed in Romans 5? What implications does this have for a believer's confidence in their faith journey? ([06:19])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you misunderstood the concept of grace. How did that affect your actions or beliefs, and what steps can you take to align your understanding with Paul's teaching? ([12:07])

2. Paul emphasizes that believers are "dead to sin." What practical steps can you take to live out this truth in your daily life, especially in areas where you struggle with sin? ([37:33])

3. Consider the transformative power of grace in your life. How can you actively participate in this transformation, and what role does the Holy Spirit play in this process? ([34:06])

4. How can you ensure that your understanding of grace leads to a life of holiness and righteousness, rather than complacency or antinomianism? ([13:19])

5. Paul speaks of the assurance of salvation through justification by faith. How does this assurance impact your daily walk with Christ, and how can you cultivate a deeper sense of security in your faith? ([06:19])

6. Identify an area in your life where you might be tempted to misuse the concept of grace as a license to sin. What accountability measures can you put in place to prevent this? ([13:19])

7. How can you communicate the true message of grace to others who might misunderstand it as a license to sin? What specific examples from your life can you share to illustrate the transformative power of grace? ([29:19])

Devotional

Day 1: Assurance of Salvation through Union with Christ
Our assurance of salvation is deeply rooted in our union with Christ, as Paul explains in Romans 6. This union is not a mere theological concept but a transformative reality that guarantees our ultimate glorification. Justification by faith is not an isolated event; it is the beginning of a journey that leads to our complete transformation in Christ. This assurance is not based on our efforts but on the finished work of Christ, who has united us with Himself. As believers, we are called to live in the confidence that our salvation is secure, not because of what we have done, but because of what Christ has accomplished. [10:29]

"For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his." (Romans 6:5, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself daily of your secure position in Christ, especially when doubts about your salvation arise?


Day 2: Grace as a Transformative Power
Antinomianism, the belief that grace encourages sin, is a misunderstanding of the gospel. True grace is not a license to sin but a transformative power that delivers us from the reign of sin and places us under the reign of grace. This transformation calls us to a life of holiness, where grace empowers us to live righteously. Grace is not passive; it actively works in us to produce a life that reflects the character of Christ. Understanding grace in this way helps us to reject the notion that we can continue in sin and instead embrace the call to live a life that honors God. [13:19]

"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." (Titus 2:11-12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively rely on God's grace to overcome a specific sin or struggle in your life today?


Day 3: Definitive Break from Sin through Union with Christ
Our union with Christ signifies a definitive break from sin. This is not a gradual process but a past event that occurred when we were transferred from being in Adam to being in Christ. Understanding this is crucial for living a victorious Christian life. As believers, we are no longer slaves to sin but have been set free to live in the newness of life. This transformation is foundational to our identity in Christ and empowers us to reject sin and embrace righteousness. [37:33]

"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." (Romans 6:6, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to embrace your new identity in Christ and break free from the power of sin?


Day 4: The Gospel of Grace Calls Us to Newness of Life
The gospel of grace is inherently transformative. It calls us to live in the newness of life, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and to reject the old ways of sin. This transformation is both doctrinal and practical, affecting every aspect of our lives. As we embrace the gospel, we are called to live out its implications in our daily lives, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us to live in a way that reflects the character of Christ. [20:24]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to live out the newness of life that the gospel of grace calls you to?


Day 5: Faithfulness to the True Gospel of Grace
Preaching the true gospel of grace may lead to misunderstandings, but it is essential to remain faithful to the message that salvation is entirely by grace through faith. This message, though seemingly dangerous, is the power of God for salvation. As believers, we are called to uphold the truth of the gospel, even when it is misunderstood or misrepresented. Our faithfulness to the gospel is a testimony to the transformative power of grace and the assurance of salvation it brings. [29:19]

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you share the true gospel of grace with someone in your life who may have misunderstood its message?

Quotes

"Paul emphasizes that justification is not an isolated event but a guarantee of our ultimate glorification. This assurance is rooted in our union with Christ, which transforms our relationship with sin and grace. If a man is justified by faith, well then he can be happy about his ultimate salvation." [00:07:16]

"Antinomianism, the belief that grace encourages sin, is a misunderstanding of the gospel. True grace delivers us from the reign of sin and places us under the reign of grace, leading to a life of holiness. The Apostle is dealing with the danger of antinomianism." [00:18:35]

"Our union with Christ signifies a definitive break from sin. This is not a gradual process but a past event that occurred when we were transferred from being in Adam to being in Christ. Understanding this is crucial for living a victorious Christian life." [00:37:33]

"The gospel of grace is inherently transformative. It calls us to live in the newness of life, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and to reject the old ways of sin. This transformation is both doctrinal and practical, affecting every aspect of our lives." [00:20:24]

"Preaching the true gospel of grace may lead to misunderstandings, but it is essential to remain faithful to the message that salvation is entirely by grace through faith. This message, though seemingly dangerous, is the power of God for salvation." [00:29:19]

"True preaching of the Gospel of salvation by grace alone always leads to the possibility of this charge being brought against it. There is no better test as to whether a man is really preaching the New Testament Gospel of Salvation than this." [00:25:16]

"If a man says now then if you say to me that where sin abounded Grace did much more abound shall we therefore continue in sin that Grace May abound, he is saying this that he has not understood at all the whole meaning and purpose of Grace." [00:33:21]

"How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein? Here we are face to face with one of the great statements of this epistle. It's one of the most important statements in some shape or form we shall find that the Apostle goes on repeating this one statement." [00:35:20]

"Therefore nothing is more important for us than to understand exactly the meaning of this statement: how shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein? Now then here we are at the commencement of our detailed exposition more or less verse by verse." [00:36:19]

"Here is something he says that has happened to you once and forever. I'll anticipate to this extent I'll tell you when it happened. This is something that happened when we ceased to be in Adam and when we began to be in Christ." [00:39:40]

"The Apostle is putting up this possible misunderstanding in terms of antinomianism and he gives his general answer and then having given it in general he will take it up in verse three and he'll go through it in detail." [00:40:01]

"Having shown the folly of this wrong deduction that leads to antinomianism in a doctrinal manner, he now shows its utter folly and unreasonableness in a more purely direct and experimental and practical manner." [00:21:01]

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Transcript
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