Yield Your Members
Romans 6:13 says we are not to yield our members as instruments (literally weapons) of unrighteousness unto sin. How do we yield our members?
That is done by falling back under the law because where there is no law there is no sin and there is no transgression. The last part of that verse says we are to yield ourselves to God as those that are alive from the dead and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Yield yourself to faith and not to law because the law is not of faith. Verse 14 continues on by saying that sin will not have dominion over you for you are not under law but under grace. Is it saying it is because you will never do anything wrong ever again? No, it is saying sin will not have dominion over you because you are no longer under law.
The whole concept previous to chapter 6 and all the way through chapter six has been the issue of being in sin. What puts you in sin? Actions and deeds? No, the thing that puts you in sin is being under the law. Look at verse 14 again….sin will NOT have dominion over you because you are not under law but under grace. Romans 5:21 tells us that sin hath reigned unto death. It is dead and it has no more reign. The last part of verse 21 says that grace now reigns for all eternity. It is not talking about any actions or deeds that are going to bring life to you. It is talking about the prescription for life itself. It is the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ that brings grace and life living in your conscious mind. Through knowing this you are able to reckon yourself indeed to be dead unto sin and alive unto God.
How dead to sin is Jesus? I think we would all agree He is totally and fully dead to sin. Likewise that is also how dead we are to sin. Stop looking at actions and deeds that you or anyone else does as sin because that is not the context of these chapters. I am not saying there are not many things in people’s lives that need to be changed. I think that goes without saying. Don’t approach your behavior from the position of sin consciousness but approach it from the position of righteousness consciousness. This is not challenging whether anyone does right or wrong. The challenge is how you view it. Are you viewing your behavior as a sinner or are you viewing it from a position of righteousness? If you view yourself as having the righteousness of God in operation in your life and that no sin will ever be held against you, you can then begin to see the grace that was so freely given to all mankind.
I was talking to Marco my friend over coffee a few days ago and he brought up something interesting which I agree with. He said the problem lies with us not knowing our identity. If you do not know your identity in Christ then you will continue looking at your actions and deeds as if that is what the Bible calls sin. We have seen, and in my opinion proven that sin is not actions and deeds. If you look at yourself in your true identity, then you will see yourself as righteous and holy and perfect in God’s sight. When you see this you will begin a quality of life based on God’s righteousness and not your own self righteousness. You will see that your life is not based on the law and the sin of the first Adam. Look at Jesus’ standing on all these issues, and likewise look at yourself the same way.
Th renewing of the mind is very important Roy,as we can see by studying this subject of sin.Consciousness of sin was totally taken away from man, by the final sacrifice for sin and by the great high priesthood of Christ.This is resting in Christ and having nothing more to do with the dead works of the law.Jesus freed us from guilt because guilt can only produce fear.And we know God has not given us the spirit of fear.But a spirit of power love and a sound mind.Soundness of mind concerning our relationship with God is what the gospel message is all about.That is the reason Paul said in romans eight that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.Now if someone says that something in our lives is separating us from God.Would it be fair to say that they are preaching an antichrist doctrine?Because the only way a person can say this to another is by using Gods law.And we know that everything written in ink and on stone was abolished through the cross.2cor,chp3.
You are right here Roy when you said,Don’t approach your behavior from the position of sin consciousness but approach it from the position of righteousness consciousness.We are all so unworthy of such love,this is what is so amazing about the grace and mercy of our God.God is love that is who he is.He did everything in his power to show us all just how great his love is for his whole creation.By sending his son into the world to take our place and he received us all in the body of his son.That is where we met with our Father in the body of Christ.Because 2cor5v19 lets us know that he was doing something there for us where we read,
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
I can rest in that and be thankful for such love.But the joy also that it brings to us is that we have a message of steadfast hope and assurance for all we meet in our lives.
This is the message that people need to hear.Keep teaching it Roy,we need more like you my friend whose heart is established in grace.
kenneth.
If the Bible says nothing can separate us from God and someone preaches otherwise by telling us there are things that separate us for God, then I don’t know what else you could call it but anti Christ doctrine. If it is against what the word clearly states then what else can it be called?
Thanks for the comment Kenneth
Again a good continuation on this topic. In regards to this identity crisis and who we are in Christ I couldn’t agree more. I remember when we first grasped grace and we were saying this very thing then.Now that our eyes have been opened to the All inclusiveness of this gospel I see it even more now than ever. I honestly feel this is where the ball has been dropped and most people will never see the fullness of this in their life.
A thought came to me just yesterday, it was something we were coming into some months back. Its always been said how we ought to live for Jesus. We came to realize that the truth is He lives for us.
This is grace, the fact that He did and does it all. One more example of how we understood our walk with Him. Furthermore this whole idea of entering into His rest. Even this can become a struggle because its our old mindset that says we need to forge ahead and always press in. Resting is trusting and knowing is knowing that we are forever secure in Him.
To have an understanding of what it is not to be under law but under grace is a foreign concept to most. Most would say what they think this means but would it really be that. This whole topic continues to reveal little tidbits of clarity that are giving us more insight into this issue of sin and our relationship to it. Keep on turning over those stones brother, no doubt there is more to discover as you journey on.
Your brother and friend, Randy
Ps, can’t wait to get into that rappie pie tomorrow.
Thanks fort he comment. When I think how little I understand in relation to the cross and what He did and how awesome just that little bit is, i cannot imagine what it will be like as He reveals Himself even further as time goes on. The old mindset like you say, really likes to “butt in” and that is ok. As our mind gets renewed to the Truth of the Gospel these mindsets fall off.
Your blog is amazing,i really like all the word and the style.
Not too bad, but your view is so unique. I like it very much.