Romans – Day 51
8 Dec 2009 | Karl Martin | Posted in RomansNo Comments
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. [Romans 6: 1-4]
Before we get into this incredible passage of scripture it would be wise for us to recap around the experience of the life of a believer in Christ. This chapter of scripture is going to be really helpful in enabling us to live the good news. And living the good news is so vital.
Many of us come to know Christ, get some good teaching and then are assured of our salvation; then we seek occasionally to tell other people about Jesus – often in stilted and unnatural conversations. But then we wonder why we are not as successful as the early church in seeing people come to a saving, dynamic faith.
Perhaps it’s because it’s not so dynamic for us?
Paul has been teaching by using a number of concepts around the spiritual life:
JUSTIFICATION: being set free from the penalty of sin
SANCTIFICATION: being set free to live sin-free
GLORIFICATION: being set free from sin all together – its effects – its power – it!
Now there are three problems as I see it.
Problem number 1
Christians who want to move from justification to glorification and bypass sanctification (this can happen, but only God can do it; he does it by removing you from this earth early). These brothers and sisters miss out spiritual transformation, the deep inner work of the spirit of God who cleans us up, sorts us out, heals us, gifts us and produces wonderful fruit in us, propelling us into this busted world to be transformation for everyone and everything else. These guys miss out, big style! They may still have their ‘get out of hell free cards’ but they don’t really live.
Problem number 2
Christians who see these three events as linear and progressive:
I have been justified (that’s done – don’t have to worry about that anymore);
I am being sanctified (being transformed now) ;
One day I will be glorified (when I get to heaven).
I am not sure how helpful this is. Whilst there is significant truth here, I would see these events as much more fluid and far more dynamic. I have been justified – but I need to keep coming back to the cross, keep in the grace of Jesus, keep forgiving and being forgiven (this doesn’t in any way damage my trust in my salvation, but sees it as a necessary dynamic event – I am being saved - it also deals seriously with sin).
I am being, have been, and will be sanctified – in the same way, I am being NOW glorified although it is only in part; I am looking like Jesus, heaven is coming to earth, in Christ, in me.
Problem number 3
Christians who have been justified are being sanctified, will be glorified and know that this is the grace and activity of God, but act as if they are the ones doing it now.
“I have to justify myself – I need to clean my act up – I can somehow be good enough for glory.”
Or alternatively we see all this as a work of God, lie back, bask in his grace and pray that soon he calls or comes.
Rather this is a divine work of co-operative grace: his ability - your availability, his power – your co-operation, his spirit – your willingness to go with his promptings.
“Lord, change me and I will change” –- “Lord, send me and I will go” –- “Lord, speak to me and I will speak”
Get this right and he will transform you and you will be his incredible transforming agents in this world NOW.
- Karl