I'm up early studying for a class tonight on the book of Romans. Tonight we are in chapter 6. It's one of the most awesome chapters in the bible! As I read over this chapter again and again, first in NIV, then in the THE MESSAGE, New American Standard and finally the ESV versions one thing keeps popping up as a focal point of the chapter- verse 14.
Rom 6:14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
In the context of the chapter this amazing verse begins to come alive. We all live in one of two countries- the country of law or the country of grace. We all live under the domain of one of these "governments." If you live in the country of law then your success or failure is up to you. You must perform to live here, and the price is high. But if you live in the country of grace the price of citizenship has been paid by Jesus Christ. We are freely admitted to a new country with a completely different way of living. "Under law" I have to do it all. "Under grace" it's all been done for me, and now I simply respond to the finished work of Christ. The more I read over this chapter the more amazed I am at the difference in the two kingdoms.
This morning I am excited to be a citizen of the kingdom of grace. There's no other place I'd rather be!
4 comments:
So here's something that was a small topic of discussion in a class the other day - granted we live under grace (Praise God!). However, there has to be some type of understanding of a Holy God who despises sin. It's not a matter of "Oh, yeah, I live under grace, so it's ok if I sin." Well, yes, that sin was forgiven, but isn't there some type of personal holiness we should be striving for? (I know, I know, we can't do it without the Holy Spirit, but do you get where I'm going with this line of thinking??) Do we as Grace Land Christians even have a holy reverence for the LORD and His view of sin in our lives? (So can you tell I've been studying Isaiah and the key word is HOLY??)
Dearest Mike and Lori,
Nice TCR post and comment - Today, I find peace in Graceland; but there is other awe-some fruit there as well-I know b/c I’ve tasted. I think a life under grace is a choice for me; sometimes for me that choice has to be made daily and there are days when I make the wrong choice.
I run, sometimes fall, sometimes get injured and sometimes get scars from those injuries. Am I as a Christian going to sin-yes; but with Him-I can strive for a holiness and out of a reverent fear of Him choose to confess and repent of that sin and enjoy the abundance of Graceland that He has provided…
Have a blessed day.
Bob
Lori, Yes, indeed. That's the message of Romans 6. We have a new life AND a new Lord. We don't even live in "sin land" anymore, how can we still sin? that's a great question, and it's the core issue of Romans 6-8. Love to visit about this further.
Bob, good comments. What's so great about grace is that Christ broke the power of sin as well as taking care of the penalty of sin, so even though we will still sin we don't HAVE to. We now have a choice. Great comments, both of you.
I would love to visit on this topic sometime. I have a hard time wrapping my mind around this one. Thanks, Mike and Bob!
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