In chapters six through eight of Romans the main theme is that of sanctification, the being set apart from sin and set apart to God. Sanctification, both as a position (being set apart as holy to the Lord) and a process (growth in personal holiness before the Lord), is not a doctrine that is espoused in the church much anymore; but its neglect is to the ruin and harm of the church, as Hebrews 12:14 tells us without sanctification, no one will see the Lord. So sanctification is obviously a crucial issue for us all, and describes what is to be going on in the life of someone who has been saved. So this is an important doctrine,a foundational truth of the gospel, and it is important that we understand it.
There is a flow of thought in these chapters that I would like to give a simple outline so as to give a handle on what is going on in these crucial chapters.
6:1-10 What God has done for us in Christ
The power of sin has been broken, and we are no longer its slaves.
6:11-23 Our response to God's breaking the power of sin
We present ourselves as slaves to God, as instruments of righteousness.
7:1-13 Our new relationship to the Law
The Law fulfilled its purpose, and is holy, righteous and good.
7:14-25 The presence and pull of sin is still there, and will remain
Although sin's power is broken, we must still do battle with it.
8:1-27 The presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
The work of the Holy Spirit in the life of someone who is truly in Christ.
8:28-39 The purpose and power of God
The plan and purpose of God is predetermined, cannot be hindered,
is carried out in Christ, and we cannot be separated from Him.
What we can see in this outline is that our sanctification begins with God breaking the power of sin, His giving us power over sin through the Holy Spirit, and His purpose for us being impossible to not be carried out.
Obviously, there is much more going on in these chapters, but this will give us a framework from which to view and understand this most important section of what many consider the constitution of our faith.
There is a flow of thought in these chapters that I would like to give a simple outline so as to give a handle on what is going on in these crucial chapters.
6:1-10 What God has done for us in Christ
The power of sin has been broken, and we are no longer its slaves.
6:11-23 Our response to God's breaking the power of sin
We present ourselves as slaves to God, as instruments of righteousness.
7:1-13 Our new relationship to the Law
The Law fulfilled its purpose, and is holy, righteous and good.
7:14-25 The presence and pull of sin is still there, and will remain
Although sin's power is broken, we must still do battle with it.
8:1-27 The presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
The work of the Holy Spirit in the life of someone who is truly in Christ.
8:28-39 The purpose and power of God
The plan and purpose of God is predetermined, cannot be hindered,
is carried out in Christ, and we cannot be separated from Him.
What we can see in this outline is that our sanctification begins with God breaking the power of sin, His giving us power over sin through the Holy Spirit, and His purpose for us being impossible to not be carried out.
Obviously, there is much more going on in these chapters, but this will give us a framework from which to view and understand this most important section of what many consider the constitution of our faith.
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