Romans 6:1 – What shall we say then? Should we continue in sin that grace may abound?
Some would define grace as a sort of a permission slip to live ungodly and still be accepted as godly. However, this is nothing new. Even in their day, Paul, Jude, John, and Peter had to deal with those who attempted to turn the grace of God into lasciviousness (Jude 1:4; 1 John 2:26-29, 3:6-8; 2 Peter 2:1-2). The people they were addressing had such a twisted concept of grace that they thought it meant they must continue in sin so they could be the recipients of grace (Romans 6:1-2). Yet, to the contrary, sin has no power to rule our lives because we now live under the domination of the Spirit of life Who has been brought to us by the work of grace (Romans 6:14, 8:1-3).
Sin will not – and must not – be given any place of dominion (Romans 6:14). Righteousness and true holiness has come by Jesus Christ, and we are commanded by God to yield our members as slaves to righteousness (Romans 6:16; Ephesians 4:24; 2 Corinthians 5:21). If we obey sin, then death reigns over us regardless of what we say we believe about Jesus, or the grace of salvation which He has supplied. However, if we obey the Word of His grace, then righteousness will be the fruit of our lives, and grace will reign over us and govern our actions and conduct – equipping us to live righteous and godly lives! (Acts 20:32; Romans 6:16, 4:16, 5:21; and Philippians 1:11; Titus 2:11-12)
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
