The Law And The Believer Series

Dr. Bradford Reaves

CrossWay Christian Fellowship

Hagerstown, MD

www.mycrossway.org

We are here now in the heart of Romans, what I would consider the approaching the pinnacle of Paul’s message to the Church in Rome. As we approach this point in Paul’s letter, we have before us some profound and significant theology. If you remember, we covered some important terms:

Propitiation: an atoning sacrifice that succeeds in turning aside the wrath of the one to whom it is offered. Propitiate is “to regain someone’s favor; to appease.” So Christ’s propitiation is the turning away of God’s wrath toward us as guilty sinners by enduring God’s wrath himself on Calvary (Zondervan’s Bible Dictionary)

“Till on that cross as Jesus died/the wrath of God was satisfied” (In Christ Alone)

Redemption: The act of purchasing a slave for the purpose of setting him or her free. "This is precisely how the New Testament describes Jesus's work on our behalf. Jesus is our Redeemer. He is the One who paid a ransom for our souls. The ransom purchased by Christ is paid to God for our debt to Him.

Justification: The opposite of condemnation. It is the legal act of God based on the meritorious work of Christ on Calvary imputed to the sinner where God declares one absolved from all sin and released from its penalty. In our justification through Christ, we have four essential acts:

1. Remission of Punishment

2. Restoration of Favor

3. Imputed Righteousness of God

4. New Legal Standing before God

New Term: Sanctification

Sanctification The word sanctification is related to the word saint; both words have to do with holiness. To “sanctify” something is to set it apart for special use; to “sanctify” a person is to make him holy.

1. “Positional” a once-for-ever separation of believers unto God. It is a work God performs, an integral part of our salvation and our connection with Christ

And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:10)

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, (1 Corinthians 1:30)

2. “Progressive” Sanctification: the effect of obedience to the Word of God in one’s life. It is the same as growing in the Lord or spiritual maturity

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)

If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:10)

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)

For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14)

3. “Ultimate” Sanctification: This is the same as glorification.

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)

We receive sanctification through justification. We also receive sanctification to maturity is a practical and progressive holiness. In the future, God will give us glorification which is a permanent and ultimate holiness. These three phases of sanctification separate the believer from the penalty of sin (justification), the power of sin (maturity), and the presence of sin (glorification).

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12–13)

As we now study chapter 7, is good for us to read the previous verses of chapter 6 to give us context.

15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 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. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.