Expert: Cooper P. Abrams III - 4/20/2007

Question
QUESTION: Could you exegete Romans 6:16-18?

In the context of Romans 6, what is the pattern to be obeyed from the heart?  Does this passage teach that when we obey from the heart this pattern we are made free from sin at that moment and not before?  How does this passage relate to the Baptist doctrine that man is freed from sin by faith alone before obedience?

Thank you for your time and effort.  I am definitely interested in your reply and well definitely read it!

Kade
ANSWER: Hi Kade,
  The brief answer is that when a person receives Jesus Christ as their Savior, by faith they are immediately saved and all their past, present and future sins are forgiven.
  Romans 6 is a discourse addressed to believers, not to the unsaved.   The key is verse 1-2 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" (Romans 6:1-2)
  Paul to talking about the new birth in which a believer received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (baptism unto death...the baptism of the Holy Spirit).    In these early times the Gentiles believers knew nothing of the Bible or its teachings of morality and shunning sin.   Some at Rome had the idea that because God's grace saves....they if they sinned they would receive more grace.   Paul says "God forbid" which is strong language.
   He is saying how can we (saved believers) continue in sin after by God's grace we have been delivered from it?
Paul says, "Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him" (Romans 6:8).
    "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:11)
    In God's eyes, true believers do not sin...because their sins have been paid for by Christ and forgiven completely forever.    The rest of the passage is continuing the discourse telling believers that they should fight sin in their lives.
    In Christ Jesus a believer can overcome sin as Romans 10:13 says.  Believers continue to have the old nature or carnal nature that has a bent to sin and destroy us.  The lost man only has the carnal nature (1 Cor. 2:14).  The saved man has two natures ....the old carnal nature and the new spiritual nature of God.(born again and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit)   Read Romans 7 which continues this discourse. Paul says he found there was a warfare going on in his heart.   The old nature lead him to desire to sin and the new nature to fight it. (Rom. 7:23)   
  To answer you specific question...the person is freed from sin when they believe and by faith God saves them by His free offer of grace.   Therefore, even when a believer sins...he is already forgive.    However, John also writing to believers (1 John 2:1) says in 1 John 1:8-10 that believers will sin, but if they do they are to ask God to forgive them in repentance and God will cleanse them....meaning help them overcome it in their lives.
  I hope this helps you understand this matter.  If you have further questions please write.   I try to make it clear, but sometimes a follow up question helps explain it better.
God best you as you study God's word,
Cooper Abrams
http://bible-truth.org


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I am especially interested in Romans 6:16-18 in regards to my original question.

Thanks again!
ANSWER: Hi Again,
  Christians can and do sin.  When they sin they do not honor God, but the Devil who is the author of sin and lies. Paul is saying, if a Christian obeys his sin nature and sins he is serving the devil.   Again we must keep in mind the context of the discourse which is written to saved people...not the unsaved.   Verse 17 confirms this saying  "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you."  (Romans 6:17)   In other words, these Gentiles heard the Gospel and believed with their hearts in the Lord Jesus Christ and were saved.
   Verse 18, says they have been made free from sin.  That does not mean they could not sin, (1 John 1:8-10), but they in their salvation they were forgiven and given the new nature that enabled them to overcome sin.  The new nature made them free from having to sin...which is something the unsaved man does not have.  Having the ability to overcome sin Paul is saying to them...do not let sin reign in your life.
   Hope this answers it for you.   
Cooper

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: You stated "if a Christian obeys his sin nature..." but I was under the impression that the old man with that sinful nature was destroyed and Christians are a new creation in Christ.  How is it possible to obey a nature that Christians supposedly no longer have?

Kade

Answer
Kade,
   You wrote me asking me what was the Baptist position on you question.  I explained it correctly to you.  I responded promptly each time and I spent over an hour writing you a correct answer.   I do not understand why you say I do not know what the biblical or Baptist teachings is.
  
   I told you the truth.....I explained correctly what the New Testament teaches and we Baptist believe.   After over thirty years being a Baptist and a Baptist pastor, plus over seven years of formal education I can assure you I know what we believe and what the NT teaches.  I a really puzzled at why you think I am unknowledgeable on the matter.   If you do not agree with what I said...that's OK, but why did you leave negative feedback saying I am not knowledgeable as to what Baptists beieve?
   But be that as it is....you have the distinction of being the first person in the nine years, and hundreds of questions, to leave negative feed back.  
   However, do I wish you well...hope you get it all sorted out.   If you have further questions I will try to answer the best I can....I would like to help you if I could.
   God be with you.
Cooper Abrams
http://bible-truth.org