November 14, 2020

The epistle to the Romans was written by the apostle Paul to the church in the capital city of Rome.  The date of the letter was most likely around 56 A.D., near the end of Paul’s third missionary journey, while he was in Corinth. Paul had wanted to visit the believers in Rome for some time, however, he had not yet had the chance to do so. The letter afforded Paul the opportunity to introduce himself to the church, and to instruct them in essential truths of the gospel.

The church in Rome was probably founded by those who had come to faith in Christ on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem.  Unlike many of the other churches that Paul wrote to, his aim was not primarily to correct wrong theology or sinful living on the part of the Roman Christians, but to further instruct the church in doctrinal truths and practical living in light of those truths.

The principal theme of Paul’s letter to the Romans is that God justifies guilty, helpless sinners by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. He dispels any notion that heaven and a relationship with God can be achieved through good works. Generally, the first eleven chapters of Romans are primarily theological while chapters 12-16 are more about practical Christian living and life in the church.

While the letter does contain some challenging passages that believers have debated, Paul addresses issues such as man’s sin and God’s wrath, justification by faith alone, the security of the believer’s salvation, sanctification, God’s sovereignty, God’s plan for Israel, the purpose of governing authorities, Christian living, and the proper use of one’s liberty in Christ.

It was while studying and teaching the book of Romans that a German Catholic priest, in the early 1500’s, came to understand Romans 1:17 in a brand new light. The words, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith’” led him to understand justification was by faith alone and not by works. God would so impact Martin Luther with these words that he became a seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation.

Romans 6

Dead to Sin, Alive to God

1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

Slaves to Righteousness

15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Reflection:

  • Paul says that we were not just lost in our sin before coming to faith in Christ, but that we were dead in our sins. We have been made alive in Christ. If we have been made alive in Christ, how should we view continuing in sin?
  • If we have died and been made alive in Christ, what does this mean regarding sin (v. 7)?
  • What is so important about how we see ourselves according to verse 11?
  • What does Paul say about sin having power over us in verse 14?
  • How can you daily present yourself as a slave to righteousness leading to sanctification (v. 19)?
  • Romans 6:23 presents the entire gospel in a nutshell. If you have not already done so, memorize this verse and use it to share the gospel with those who are lost. Even with this one verse, you can point people to the word of God for answers about eternity and how to know him.

Prayer: Lord, I was once a slave to sin and dead in my trespasses. But you have made me alive in Jesus, and according to your word, I am no longer a slave to sin. Help me to not make myself a slave to sin, but a slave to righteousness. Help me to obey you today and live in your righteousness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

6 thoughts on “Daily Devotional-November 14th”

  1. Father,

    Today is a gift from you, thank you so much. May I praise your Holy Name throughout this day.

    Plant me, Father, near the streams of living water. You called Moses when he was eighty. I’m not to seventy, yet. I surrender to your calling. How will you use me today?

    May I bear fruit for your kingdom today and every day. Surround me with wise counselors. Together, may we share the good news of the free gift that comes from you, LORD.

    Help me to teach, encourage and motivate others to righteous living. May I mirror you, LORD.

    We all will stand in judgment someday.

    Father, let’s be going and working and praying and helping and saving one more for your son, Jesus Christ.

    Amen

  2. Dear Heavenly Father,
    Thank you for forgiving me of my sins and freeing me from being a slave to sin. I want only to seek a life of rightiousness and obedience to Your Word. Please help me daily as I try to walk in Your ways and be an example for Your glory. I will keep my eyes on You,LORD, for You are the only true way, truth and life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

  5. God, you are so amazing. Thank you for revealing yourself to me, choosing me and giving me the privilege of being a part of your new creation. In Jesus’ name.

  6. So you want to be sanctified (set apart for God), well here is the key. “So now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.” Romans 6:19b If you are not pursuing righteousness, you can never be sanctified.

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