Romans Chapter 6
Originally posted on Wednesday, June 25, 2008
General Comment: As we read this Chapter we
enter a new realm of Paul's Christology. We are entering the world of Paul's
mysticism where the believer exists in spiritual union with Christ, the same
union Christ enjoys with God. It is a purifying union in which we shed the
vestiges of what has bound us to egocentric, self centered behavior. We are now
bound to God in and through Christ. This is not a simple acceptance
of mere doctrine; this is how we now live. Our lives are no longer our
own; they belong to God. We are by no means automatons or merely conduits for another's
manipulation. Our free will is intact but it is offered up to guidance and
correction, to purification and, surely, sanctification. We are in Christ and of Christ, sharing the mind of
Christ in all we are and do. As we read through other letters we will be
impressed, perhaps overwhelmed with the beauty of Paul's relationship with God.
But it is not only his; he invites us all to be part of it, one with each other,
and together one with Christ.
Romans Chapter 6:1-14 We Die
and rise With Christ
Paul
continues the previous point that with the giving of the Law and its many
commandments, sin multiplied exponentially. This gave rise to the increased
opportunity for grace to abound. One might think of a dark analogy in
which the coming of the plaque gives rise to more opportunity for doctors
to practice healing. Paul warns against any conclusion which promotes
sinning as a means of receiving justifying grace. The idea of sinning all
week long then entering the confessional (or worship) on Sunday is more a
testing of God's graciousness than it is good sense. Here Paul adds a new idea.
In response to our faith God justifies us and deems us as righteous (being
in a right relationship with and reconciled to God). In such a justified
state we have died to the state of sinfulness. How, then, can we keep sinning?
Paul adds the rite of baptism as the iconic image for our death to sin. In
the event of baptism we are mystically united with Christ. In this union we die
and are buried with him and we are raised with him. In our
"rising" from baptism we "walk in newness of life with
Christ (in this life)." The former (old) self has been crucified
and has died with Christ. The "body" in which sin finds its
opportunity has been destroyed and is no longer dominated by sin. We are to
consider ourselves as dead to sin and alive to God in Christ. Because we are dead to sin, sin should have no
dominion in us. Our bodies
are no longer presented (used) as weapons of wickedness but are presented to
God as weapons of righteousness; for we are "not under the Law
but under grace."
Romans Chapter 6:15-23
Slaves of Righteousness
In
another rhetorical question Paul asks if our not being under the Law should
lead us to sin as if sin no longer mattered once grace has been given (once
saved always saved?). "By no means." he writes. He reasons using
slavery as an analogy. It is obvious to Paul that a person is the
slave to whomever or whatever he or she obeys, human or otherwise, sin or
righteousness. Walking in newness of life, as Paul characterizes our new
selves united with Christ, we have become obedient to the Gospel we
have been taught. All the energies we once devoted to sin we are now
presenting to God as slaves to righteousness "for sanctification."
This is not a new word to a Methodist. Wesley preached sanctifying grace,
that which draws us into greater and greater holiness and so, closer and
closer to God. Paul understands an increasing obedience to God as the
sure movement toward God and God's holiness which we are called to share
as we "walk in newness of life." Such closeness cannot be achieved if
we do not understand ourselves as transformed, as something and
someone new in the mind of God, having put the old behind with all
its baggage and all its misdirected attachments.
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