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Romans 6:1-4 1What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
2×4 Time
This was the reading at Hosanna (my Church) several weeks ago. I remember these first verses being a 2×4 to the head (think ‘Tommy Boy‘). How often do I find myself using God’s grace as an excuse to sin… I think we are all guilty of it from time to time. Or maybe there is that one specific sinful addiction that you can’t seem to break. The one that has be come so habitual that you’ve stop trying.
Romans 6:6 6Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?
Slaves to???
Paul makes a good point about the dedication we need to present in our lives. Just as Christ was obedient unto death for us, we are asked to due the same out of joy and gratitude for what has been done for us. This is something we should strive for daily…even if yesterday was a bust. We can make the effort and pray for obedience to Christ and His will be done in our lives.
Mark 10:27 27Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible,but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
Prayer
My Father,
I pray for obedience today. For obedience to your will. For your newness of life to overtake my purpose and grant me the freedom from sin that your grace brings.
In His most Holy Name,
Amen.
Romans 12:6-8 - 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7f it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
What’s your gift? Do you have trouble answering that question some days? I know I sure do. If someone were to walk up to me and ask that right now, I’d have a tough time just picking one thing. Paul points out that each of us has different gifts according to God’s plan for us. The context around the verse of this chapter is about becoming a living sacrifice for God and submitting to being our portion of the body of Christ here on earth. Each one of us have gifts to support that body.
This is also a good lesson for those of us that try to do ‘everything’. I don’t think being ‘obsessive-compulsive’ is one God’s true gifts 
. It’s just a sign that we don’t trust other’s to use their talents to complete the tasks. It’s impossible to do everything yourself. You will need someone else’s help. You will need God’s help. It’s a fact of life. It’s part of God’s plan as well. He asks us to submit to one another in service and in love.
Prayer
Father, Thank you for the gifts that You have given to me and the enjoyment I receive from utilizing my talents. Help me today to see where I may use those talents to further Your kingdom, to server others, and to allow others to serve me. I praise all the amazing gifts that I see in myself and the others around me. Let us be blessings to each other as long as we live.
In this day, just as yesterday, Your grace is sufficient for me.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
Romans 8:1-2 - 1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 6:15-18 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
From slaves of sin to slaves of righteousness is the transition Paul speaks of here in Romans. This chapter is very focused around the change that should occur with being a follower of Christ. The verses above make it clear that Grace should not be used as an excuse or even a license to sin. We are called through the Word to become a slave to it’s truth…to the truth that Jesus is the one and only Son of God and the only way to salvation.
