Romans 5 – 6
Verse 5:18 is Jesus’ sacrifice in a nutshell: So here is the result: as one man’s sin brought about condemnation and punishment for all people, so one man’s act of faithfulness makes all of us right with God and brings us to new life. This is very straight forward and simple when you read it. The Gospel tends to get overly complex when you start trying to tie Old and New Testament doctrine into all the teachings of Jesus, when really salvation is found through Jesus and then the rest can be learned.
Chapter 6 is the answer to the question if we can sin or not. Verse 6:6 opens with the promise:
We know this: whatever we used to be with our old sinful ways has been nailed to His cross. So our entire record of sin has been canceled, and we no longer have to bow down to sin’s power.
But now we must decide how to behave after receiving this salvation. Can we sin because we have a “Get Out of Jail Free” card or do we live lives of righteousness? The answer is simple and can be very disturbing when researched, but live pure. In the previous reading we see that heaven appears to have levels and living saved, but knowingly sinning could place you in the not so nice section … which I am sure is better than hell.
Paul addresses this in Verses 6:15 & 16 addressing the issue of sin:
15 So what do we do now? Throw ourselves into lives of sin because we are cloaked in grace and don’t have to answer to the law? Absolutely not! 16 Doesn’t it make sense that if you sign yourself over as a slave, you will have to obey your master? The question before you is, What will be your master? Will it be sin—which will lead to certain death—or obedience—which will lead to a right and reconciled life?
This was the root of Jesus’ question to the rich man, who does he honor more money or God. This is the key and was addressed in the 10 commandments by putting “no other gods before Him.” In this case as really seen today “gods” is no longer Zeus or Osiris, but rather Porsche or Armani. Now we tend to worship sports stars or stuff and not mythical figures. So Paul nails it in simple easy to understand words. Obey God and life will be blessed. NOTE – Will not be “easy”, but will be in God’s will.