SUBJ: The effect of the work of
Christ in us in both fact and experience made sure by the life of Christ
in us and the promise of glory forever.
AIM: That we might anchor our minds
with these thoughts and engage, by the grace of God, in the struggle
against sin and seek the enjoyments of fellowship with Him (and each
other) now and joy’s eternal increase now and ever more.
INTR: Paul began this chapter with
strong words against any form of toleration for sin and thus proceeded
to show that the effect of a gracious work of salvation produces
resurrection life which is experienced by the believer and observed by
the world. 1. As the manner of the Apostle is, he never stops driving
the nail until it is fully seated and so, he would provide yet another
layer to his declarations. 2. It is sad that many pay lip-service to
the Gospel and give mental assent to the idea of being a Christian but
are so weak in scriptural knowledge as to be incapable of comprehending
what Christ has done and what He expects. 3. Paul, here again, calls
forth powerful logic, inspired of the Holy Spirit and palatable to all
who are indeed alive unto God through Christ our Lord.
THESIS: Having established that we have
an identity with Christ, it is essential that we, by faith, rest in the
accomplishments of Christ as live in response to that for which He died
to obtain. We are in fact and experience alive unto God.
I. An
important declaration (vv. 8-9) 1. The use of the word “if” in this
case is not an expression of doubt; it is rather a declaration of truth
leading to a further truth. 1) If we are dead with Christ – full
identity addressed in the preceding verses 2) We believe (faith)
claims life with Him and the emphasis must be on with Him. 2. This
confidence does not arise from any action or merit on our part, but
looks to things declared and witnessed, namely; 1) We know in fact,
recorded for us in the pages of this we believe to be the Word of God
(See 1 Corinthians 15:1ff), that He rose from the dead. 2) It is
likewise essential that we know that He will die no more: I am he that
liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and
have the keys of hell and of death. Revelation 1:18. 3) A simple
deduction leads us to know that He was dead but no more 4) By virtue
of the dignity of His person: God manifest in the flesh, and efficacy of
the offering made, death no longer has the ability to touch Him, let
alone to dominate Him. 3. Life is assured in that death is vanquished
and it is life with Him! See: For though he was crucified through
weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in
him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. 2
Corinthians 13:4
II. An important realization (vv. 10-11) 1.
The Old Testament record is one of repeated sacrifices and rituals
designed to point to Christ but ineffective as to taking away sin. 1)
From these it was evident that a sacrifice must be made and 2) That
the promise of a Messiah was both depicted and declared. 2. Only of
Christ could it be said that such is the sufficiency of His work that it
need not and would not be repeated. 1) Consider: For then must he
often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in
the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice
of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this
the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and
unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin
unto salvation. Hebrews 9:26-28 2) And: But this man, after he had
offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of
God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
Hebrews 10:12-13 3. The reference to reckoning is strong here in that
it is more than “I suppose it is so.” It is rather that we are to think
thus of ourselves in the same manner that we think it of Christ. 1)
It is twofold reckoning – the one coexisting with the other 2) We are
dead to sin’s consequences (you can’t kill me twice and I died in
Christ). The sin-debt is settled, and cannot more be an issue legally
and 3) We think and live and experience life never apart from, but in
such identity with God in and through Christ that we cannot think of
ourselves apart from it.
III. An important exhortation (vv.
12-14) 1. Sin and the sin nature have been disenfranchised (put out
of office) and therefore have neither right nor leverage to rule in the
life of true believers. This point will be further emphasized later in
the chapter. 1) Certainly, sin appears in the lives of believers and
that more than we desire (the old man). 2) But, for whatever reason,
give way to that which has no right but would continue. 2.
Specifically, we are to endeavor in every way (through the exercise of
spiritual ability and privilege through the Word of God and prayer)
resist yielding our faculties, both physical and mental to
unrighteousness: 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things
which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set
your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians
3:1-2. 3. Rather to be yielded unto God as those who are alive unto
God. 4. And emphatic declaration is “Sin shall not have dominion over
you!” 1) Not under law – that is outward compulsion, or the
condemnation, or the consequences; and that wherein many think
themselves to live by keeping it and are sadly deceived. 2) Under
grace – which reigns in the life of the believer with every provision of
revelation, blessedness, and ability: For it is God which worketh in you
both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13. 3)
Grace, unfathomable grace is the ruling principle of the soul through
Christ our Lord. i. By grace we are saved ii. Grace reigns over
abundant sins iii. We come boldly to a throne of Grace.
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