30th June 2023
Can we go on sinning?
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 (NIVUK)
Our header scripture is one that Christians often use in evangelism, warning those who are not yet Christians that a life of sin leads to death and that eternal life is God’s gift in and through Jesus. However, in context, Paul is not writing this to unbelievers but rather to the church at Rome. So, what is in his mind?
For five chapters Paul has laid bare the Christian gospel, which is unique compared to all the world’s religions and philosophies. Its message is that salvation is received and not achieved. It is received, not on the basis of our merit (anything we do), or our goodness (any innate quality we may have).
Now, whenever the Christian gospel of grace is preached, it inevitably raises a question: if salvation is entirely by grace and is not dependent on what we do, or who we are, then why not live any way we want to? After all, it’s not going to affect our salvation.
It’s this question that preoccupied Paul in Romans chapter 6. Twice he sets up an adversary to ask the question, ‘What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning, so that grace may increase?’, and ‘What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace?’ (vv. 1, 15). His response is the same to each question, ‘By no means!’ (vv. 2, 15).
Paul’s conclusion to this chapter in verse 23 reinforces this by providing the Christian with three contrasts:
- Working for wages or receiving a free gift – sin pays wages (we get what we deserve), but God gives a free gift (we are given what we do not deserve). Paul says, don’t continue in a sinful lifestyle after receiving God’s free gift of grace (v.1).
- Serving sin or serving God – Paul’s argument in the second half of the chapter is that we will be slaves to someone: either sin or God, and a Christian is to live a life of obedience to God (v.16).
- Death or eternal life – the warning is that these two slaveries are so diametrically opposed to one another, that the ultimate destinies to which they lead are either death or eternal life.
Paul then, uses this verse (v.23) to show why being under grace does not lead Christians to sin. We know that sin pays a terrible wage: death. But God’s gracious free gift is eternal life because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done for us, and our trust, through faith, in that finished work.
We get to spend all of eternity in the presence of our loving Lord Jesus, who gave himself for us at such a great price. So, should we toy with sin when we have been delivered from it? ‘Certainly not!’ (vv. 2, 15, NKJV).
Prayer
Loving Father, thank you for the gracious salvation you have given us in Christ Jesus our Lord. May we live for him as we look forward to eternity with our Saviour and Master. In Jesus’s name, we pray, Amen.
Study by Barry Robinson
About the writer:
Barry Robinson is a minister in Grace Communion International and Regional Pastor for Southern England.
Local congregation:
Grace Communion International Camberwell
The Salvation Army Hall
105 Lomond Grove
Camberwell
London SE5 7HN
Local congregational contact:
Barry Robinson
Email: camberwell@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church