Be Sanctified… (Romans 6) 040508
This is a very rich passage. Theologically, it deals with several important doctrines, such as: baptism (v4), grace (v1), sin (vv12-14), righteousness and sanctification (vv16-20), and also eternal life (v23). There are many more, but from a glance, these are the few.
Verse 23 is very well known because it contains the gist of the gospel message in it, with the context in Rom 6. Many Christians memories Rom 6:23 and use it for evangelism. Though the content of Rom 6 explains the gospel, but the context of this passage is for the Christians. Does Paul mean that the believers also need the gospel? I hope may it never be (v2, v15)! But the reality is, many believers do not fully comprehend the fullness of the gospel, including us, today.
Gospel promises us eternal life (v22), this is what we want as believers, we want eternal life, we want to get out of hell. The motivation is fear. When Paul says that the wages of sin is death (v23), note that he is using the singular ’sin’. Paul is not referring to our acts of sinfulness here, but he is referring to our nature of sinfulness. In Greek, the word ’sin’ is derived from ‘missing the mark’. In other words, we are sinners because we miss the mark set by God. We are sinful in nature implies that we can never reach God’s standard no matter what. No matter we are a CEO of MNC, or we are the Nobel prize winner, or we are doctors, lawyers or teachers; we simply miss the mark. Maybe we think we are compassionate, we are generous, we are nice or we are good, but never enough and still miss the mark.
We can never hit the target without Christ, we can never have a proper aim unless through the eyes of faith. And we can only receive salvation or eternal life, it is by the grace of God through Jesus Christ the Son. It is free (v23). Absolutely free, we can not purchase it with anything. It is just like those free gift item we get it in sales promotion, the salesperson will not charge us a single cent, and will give us for free. Salvation is for free, we cannot buy it or earn it, but to receive it after we realize and recognize our sinful nature, and willing to allow God to deal with it.
Many people want to get out of hell and eternal life, but do not want to deal with their sinful nature. In other words, they want justification and glorification without sanctification process. But the truth is that these three come in a package. I will not doubt the ability of God to give a person salvation even if he refuses to be sanctified by the Holy Spirit, but I will reserve my personal opinion of that person’s salvation. That means, I will not comment, just allow God to act in His righteous way.
I know that sanctification process is a painful process. I am going through it now, and I can fully apprehend. But it is absolutely necessary for our spiritual maturity. Do not lament that our growth in Christ is so limited and even doubt our position in Christ; but instead let Christ brings you through the sanctification process to purify your faith in Him.
Paul reminds his readers that it is beneficial as a result of sanctification (v22). I will pray along with you.
HHS…
Abel…
