Romans 6:1-2, Shall We Continue in Sin?

Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

The great themes of the gospel has been categorically presented:

1. Sin (1:18-3:20)

2. Salvation (3:21-5:21)

3. Sanctification (6:1-8:39)

The word “sanctification” means “making progress in living a life of holiness”. This is the new thought from chapters 6-8. Having become a Christian by God’s grace, let us be grateful for this new life in Christ. Receiving pardon for sin, being freed from the bondage of sin, sin does not have a stranglehold on our lives, we are “dead to sin“.

The Apostle Paul reasoned with us that we should not continue in sin, like a dog going back to its own vomit. Our life as a Christian, forward-looking, must not be still plagued with the ravages of sin. Just because we receive the pardon from sin by God’s grace does not mean that we should delight in sin since pardon is forthcoming each time. The Christian life ought to understand the blessing of living in the beauty of holiness. The sinning Christian is a misnomer because he is not making spiritual progress. Borrowing the Malay word “Hentak Kaki” in marching drills meaning “marching on the spot” to help us see the sad plight of the Christian making no spiritual progress, still being entangled with sin.

Many Christians are in this state. The Apostle Paul understood “their struggles”. He will now help them to see the causes and the hindrances to their spiritual progress so that many reading this epistle may be helped in the journey of sanctification. May God help you too. Amen.