A note in The Reformation Study Bible on Romans 6:1-14 says, “So great was [Paul’s] emphasis on the freeness of God’s grace in the face of sin that his preaching had been accused of antinomian tendencies, or ignoring the ethical requirements of the law.” He knew that his preaching of grace would lead religous folks to begin asking the inevitable question, "If we are saved by sheer grace, then why not sin so that grace can abound all the more?" Other questions that are connected include these: What motive is there for living a new life? What power is available for change, if there is one at all? Should I see or expect a change in my life after I experience the revolutionary status alteration of the gospel (a fancy way of talking about justification).

This Sunday as we enter Romans 6, we are going to deal with these inevitable questions, finding that there is an inextricable connection between what God does for us (in justification) and what God does in us(through sanctification). This is going to lead us into a greater understanding of the gospel with many practical implications such as: (1) what should "living a new life" look like, (2) why do I see so little change in my life, and (3) how can I change?

So as you can see, we are transitioning from the foundation of our new position secured for us to the power of Jesus lived through us. This is exciting, practical and helpful stuff! The main passage we'll be looking at is Romans 5:20-6:4. Read ahead if you are able so that you can come hungry for more gospel, more grace, more Jesus.

In my study today for Sunday's message, I came across a statement in The Reformation Study Bible that I found helpful for those of us entrusted with preaching and teaching. Concerning Romans 6:1-14, the study note says, “So great was [Paul’s] emphasis on the freeness of God’s grace in the face of sin that his preaching had been accused of antinomian tendencies, or ignoring the ethical requirements of the law.” In view of that statement, if my preaching does not evoke a similar charge, I may not be preaching the true gospel of free grace. What a joy, blessing and honor it would be to have even this one thing in common with the apostle. So preachers, let's seek this accusation and be glad that we finally have begun to shine enough light on the cross that our teaching becomes well distinguished from any form of religious moralism. Yet let us also not become proud of the accusations, lest we fail to show how God's work for us in justification provides the new grace-compelled motive and Spirit-fueled power for God's work in us through sanctification. After all, saving and enabling grace are both the work of God and magnify the glory of God.

Tuesday, in my study for Sunday's message, I came across a wonderful quote from Robert Haldane's 19th century commentary on Romans. He says, "Preserving the conscience free from guilt by continual application to the blood of Christ, is the main point in the believer's walk with God, and is the powerful spring of his obedience." Yes! Our focus must be on our full and free justification through Jesus. If it is, then we will see new life beginning to grow through Spirit-empowered sanctification. Haldane is a new favorite. If you want a great commentary on Romans, start with his.

I am part of a group of guys who meet on Wednesday mornings at 6:00 a.m. to study the Bible, work out the implications of the gospel into our lives, and pray for each other. Today was particularly nourishing manna for my soul. We are going through "The Gospel-Centered Life" curriculum and are in chapter 3, "Believing the Gospel," where the authors state:

"Our souls must become deeply rooted in the truth of the gospel so that we anchor our righteousness and identity in Jesus and not in ourselves. Specifically, the gospel promises of passive righteousness and adoption must become central to our thinking and living... By faith, we must cling to the gospel promise that we are adopted as God's children (and that) Jesus' righteousness has been credited to us apart from works (Rom. 4:4-8). We don't need to do anything to secure God's love and acceptance; Jesus has secured it for us."

They go on, saying:

"At the root of all our visible sins lies the invisible struggle for righteousness and identity."

That nails it for me. Just like Adam and Eve in their post-forbidden fruit eating condition, I struggle with issues of insecurity every day. I want to run and hide, too, or find some kind of fig leaf to cover up my guilt and shame. If I don't run, I will fight for my name, my righteous identity that I need to protect. But what if I no longer had any name to protect; only a name to praise?

This is possible, because in the gospel, Jesus' name is my glory, not my own. When I actively believe that, rather than run or fight, I can face the music of my sin and need, and better, hear the beautiful symphony of God's grace, where Jesus' imputed righteousness is celebrated as the end of the struggle in the fight for identity (Rom. 10:3). That is the song that I need to hear every day, lest I grow discouraged and lose hope. 

Last week in a press conference, UGA football coach Mark Richt provided a rich gospel perspective on his life and vocation:

“I love the game of football. I love my job. I love Georgia. But what I do is not who I am,” Richt said. “I think sometimes if we become what we do, and then things aren’t going just right, then all of a sudden our entire world falls apart. I’ve got a faith in my Lord and savior Jesus Christ, and I know that God loves me and is going to take care of me. I just truly believe that. When all the games are done and all of life is lived, I know where I’ll be for eternity.”

He is right. What I do, whether good or bad, does not define who I am. The imputed righteousness of Jesus defines who I am. I have been graced. I am a forgiven, beloved Son of the Father. That is who I am. 

I have heard some helpful quotes this week and thought I'd share a few of them with you.

"In conflict, our hearts come to the surface."

"Authentic community is not the absence of conflict and relational funkiness. Authentic community is the result of living out the gospel in the midst of and through conflict and relational funkiness. Authentic community takes place as we learn to repent deeply and forgive completely."

"Hard circumstances do not create character; hard circumstances reveal character." Okay, circumstances do play a major part in the sanctification process. The idea is that how we react to our circumstances reveals where we are in the process and what the functional gospel of our lives is. It often shows us that we have a great opportunity to have the gospel become more of a living reality in our lives than it presently is.

"How we say something is as important as what we say." Thanks to Andy Woznicki for that one. In other words, as Paul said, speak the truth in love.

Andy claims to have heard the following equations at Campus Outreach training or something. I think he made it up himself and is just being humble. :)

• Truth - love —> destroys
• Love - truth —> deceives 
• Truth + love —> develops / encourages / builds up

That'll preach. After all, it's the gospel.

• Truth = I am more sinful that I would ever dare to admit.
• Love = I am more forgiven and accepted than I could ever dare to dream.

More from David Platt's book, Radical.

In the gospel God reveals the depth of our need for him. He shows us that there is absolutely nothing we can do to come to him. We can't manufacture salvation. We can't program it. We can't produce it. We can't even initiate it. God has to open our eyes, set us free, overcome our evil, and appease his wrath. He has to come to us.

Now we are getting to the beauty of the gospel.