28. Romans Chapter 6 Verses 19-23 - Messages In Romans – Dead To Sin; Slaves Of Righteousness. Sanctification, Eternal Life And Death – Message 28 Series

28. ROMANS CHAPTER 6 VERSES 19-23 - MESSAGES IN ROMANS – DEAD TO SIN; SLAVES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. SANCTIFICATION, ETERNAL LIFE AND DEATH – MESSAGE 28

[1]. STAND FOR CHRIST AND DELIVER

{{Romans 6:19 “I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh, for just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, SO NOW PRESENT YOUR MEMBERS AS SLAVES TO RIGHTEOUSNESS, resulting in SANCTIFICATION.”}}

Paul’s comment about speaking in human terms certainly had a lot of spirituality in it. Why would the Apostle say they were weak in the flesh, and would he apply that to all of us? I suspect what he is saying is that ALL of us are weak in the flesh because we are all sinners by nature and retain that sin nature until we enter the Lord’s presence. Every single one of the Lord’s servants can testify to the fact that sin is so subtle and the flesh is often our undoing.

This verse summarises the overall thoughts of the previous number of verses. We enter on a different comparison here in the impact of the verse. Contrasted are impurity and lawlessness AND sanctification. Interestingly he states, “resulting in further lawlessness,” and that means when lawlessness is set loose it multiplies itself enormously.

We see that in increasing riots such as the Black Lives Matter and Islamic lawlessness in our cities and anti-Semitic riots and demonstrations. As we approach the end of the Church age lawlessness will increase. Britain, France and the USA are being overrun by lawlessness in riots and violent protests.

Let us take a look at this verse – {{Matthew 24:12 “and because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold,”}} and we must be careful here because Jesus is speaking of the times in the Tribulation in Matthew 24 and this is where the verse fits. There will be great lawlessness in the Tribulation because the Lawless One (Antichrist) will rule the world. The Tribulation happens after the RAPTURE so as we quickly approach the Rapture then we will expect an increase in lawless behaviour, and that we are seeing. It is all getting ready. {{1 Timothy 1:9 “realising the fact that law is not made for a righteous man, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,”}}

Once a person is committed to lawlessness then he loses sense of reason and equality. It belongs to Satan for he is the lawless one as will be his king pin in the Tribulation – {{2 Thessalonians 2:7-9 “for the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way, and then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming, that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders,”}}

The remainder of Romans 6 verse 19 tells us to unite with righteousness; to serve righteousness (by being obedient to the Lord and His word.) Paul continues to say that leads to sanctification, which is the same Greek word as holiness. God wants holy people not ones tainted by sin and the world. How do you avoid being polluted by the world?

It all depends on how far you are from the Lord. If you are distant it means you have neglected fellowship, neglected the living word and become cold in your faith. Sanctification is an ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in one sense of practical walk, and the closer you are to Jesus, then the greater that walk will change you.

One expression here requires an act of the will. Because we are Christians, it does not mean we are robots controlled by the Lord. In fact more is required of us to make choices, BUT with the leading of God. Our desires should match the Lord’s desires. This is that expression - so now present your members” and that is the individual choice that is yours. In disobedience you may refuse but to do so is to live an unprofitable life and fail in sanctification.

[2]. THE SINNER IS FREE FROM THE DEMANDS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

{{Romans 6:20 “When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.”}} VERY THOROUGH COVERAGE

This is an interesting thought and a bit like the way this works – “A member of the soccer team is not bound by the rules of the tennis club.” Tennis has no application to the soccer. Before a person is saved then he/she was a slave to sin, and constantly sinned with no regard to penalty or outcomes. What was “Christian” was foreign and the thought of righteousness meant nothing. In fact it was probably despised.