Romans 6:1-23
[1] What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? [3] Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? [4] Therefore 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. [5] For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: [6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. [7] For he that is dead is freed from sin. [8] Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: [9] Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. [10] For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. [11] Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. [12] Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. [13] Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. [14] For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. [15] What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. [16] Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? [17] But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. [18] Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. [19] I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. [20] For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. [21] What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. [22] But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. [23] For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
When we receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord our lives even our very self undergoes a transformation. Romans 12:1-2 [1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. This passage speaks of a transformation not merely a conformation. We are made something new and entirely different than we were before. Many times people speak of ‘getting religion’ or some other expression which means merely to experience or effect an outward change but that’s not the new birth that the Bible tells us of 2 Corinthians 5:17 [17] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. We can see from this verse that it is not just a change of habits or an addition to the old life. Rather it is that the old man has died with Christ on the cross and the new man has arisen to walk in the way that the Holy Spirit leads. Consider the “Death Unto Life”, when we are saved we are:
- BURIED with Christ in baptism. Baptism is a picture of a burial. The putting under the water is symbolic of the death of a person and his being put into the earth. We often think of death as the end, but it’s really just a change, the start of a new existence. When a baby is born of its mother it is not the start of its life. The child has had life since its conception in his mother’s womb. Birth marks an.amazing change. The baby for nine months has been in the safety and comfort of his mother’s womb. I can only imagine the feelings of an unborn child in such an environment. Birth brings him into a world that is completely unknown to him. It’s a world filled with light, sounds, heat and cold. These are things new and different to him. Because I have no memory of the womb, it’s an unknown to me. Death is very similar, it is not an end to existence but a change. As we were separated from our mother’s womb and body death separates us from this earthly body. It doesn’t end our existence. We will exist either in Heaven or Hell after death. When we receive Jesus we receive His death, in God’s eyes we died with Jesus on the cross. What comes after death? Here it’s burial. It’s a perfect picture of the death of the old man to see him buried in the waters of the baptismal.
- BORN AGAIN – As with the physical birth, the new birth brings many changes. We receive spiritual life when we receive Jesus. When we are born into this world as an infant we have physical life, that is we are born body and soul, but we are stillborn spiritually. John 3:1-8 [1] There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: [2] The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. [3] Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. [4] Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? [5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. [6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [7] Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. [8] The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus was confused by the idea of a new birth. He was thinking in physical terms and not spiritual. When we are born spiritually it brings many changes. We have:
- NEW LIFE – A body without life cannot experience the sensations of the living. He has no way to perceive sounds or touch or smell or taste or to hear. In the same way a person who has not been born again cannot experience the things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:14 [14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Those who are born again, those that have spiritual life can then perceive and enjoy the things of God. They can enjoy the fellowship of the Holy Spirit and of fellow believers.
- NEW WAYS – Old habits, desires and thoughts will be replaced by the new things that come naturally to those that have spiritual life. It’s an interesting phenomenon that a new born babe doesn’t have to be taught to suckle, it comes naturally. In the same way a believer knows to praise God and seek His will. As with any babe it’s necessary to be taught many things but the first things of life are there already.
- NEW FREEDOM – Those who have been saved are free from the old life and it’s bondage. We were in bondage to:
- Self – It is readily apparent that the flesh binds the sinner to a life that is destructive and leads to despair and death. How many people kill themselves, some quickly with a gun or by some other method. Many do so more slowly with drugs alcohol or with other destructive habits. I would think that there are very few or probably none who have not experienced the bondage of habits that we wish we could break. We know that these things are bad for us yet our flesh compels us to continue them. It’s by the grace and power of God that we can overcome these things.
- Society or the world – Contemporary society will carry one to places that are destructive to the person and dishonoring to God. The movies, music and fashions of the world are almost without exception wicked. Popular music glorifies all things that are unholy and evil, movies the same. We see that the most popular stars are the ones who lead the most profane lives.
- Satan. 2 Corinthians 4:4 [4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.1 Peter 5:8 [8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Satan is the god of this world and holds the world in bondage, The only escape is though the shed blood of Jesus. By the power of the Holy Spirit we see the truth and areset free.
- We have a BECKONING We have a future that is filled with many wonderful things. Things such as:
- FRUITFUL SERVICE – The only way that we can truly serve God is by the power of God. Everything that will matter in eternity is done in the power of God.
- FANTASTIC RECEPTION – We can hear ‘well done’ if we are faithful. It will be beyond our ability to conceive of the joy that will be ours if we hear the Master. Matthew 25:21 [21] His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
- FULFILLMENT of Promises – All the promises of God will be carried out. Whatever He has promised He will do.
Faith Baptist Church of Newborn GA 