Introduction to Romans 6: part 13 - Closing

As previously mentioned, having a deeper understanding of Romans, especially now, is very important to my current ministry as a worship leader. Our pastor is currently preaching on the book of Romans, verse by verse, working through Romans 6:1-14 this week, the very passage we've taken on in previous posts.

Many times I am asked by the pastor to read the passage that relates to his sermon for the week to the congregation. Having a deeper knowledge of the book fits in perfect this week and directly relates to the first century churches where God’s Word was read aloud. By having done this work-up, I can read with confidence God’s Word and know some of the history related to it if asked later. As a leader in the church, I’m expected to be diligent in my study of the Word and be prepared to have answers for believers or be “prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have (1 Pet. 3:15).”

Looking ahead 5-10 years down the road, I intend to write some counseling books and possibly work as a marriage counselor, so my understanding of Scripture and its background is critical to counseling people, much like in a pastoral realm.

Where is God leading you?

Introduction to Romans 6: part 12 - Other thoughts to Apostle Paul's letter

The book of Romans as a whole is complex, yet simple to understand and read. I feel you could read it over and over throughout your lifetime and never know everything.

As I read through other scholarly work to get more understanding, I found my biggest takeaway was a deeper understanding of the first century time through the reading, and relating to the book of Romans. As I read through three chapters of Greco-Roman World of the New Testament, by author James Jeffers, I delved deeper into the Word as Paul related and taught those he ministered to in the first century.

First of all, I understood from reading through Romans and other studies of the book in the past that Jews and Gentiles struggled to live and serve the same God together. From a deeper understanding in this week’s work, I can now see that Jews faced desires to become a slave to the Roman way of life, yet reflect in their walk that it was a blessing from God, while giving in to worldly desires. Jews were suppressed often, and so I can sympathize to a certain point how this difficult life must have been, especially from chapter one of Jeffer’s book.

More to come as we bring our study and discussion on Romans to a close!

Introduction to Romans 6: part 11 - Other thoughts to Apostle Paul's letter

Continuing to look for deeper meaning and context, I've quickly been made aware that there is much more to knowing the book of Romans than I originally anticipated, which also explains my initial difficulty and frustration in dealing with its context and content from the start. I've been both excited and taken aback by the level of thinking I've already been exposed to in just working these first 11 verses of Romans chapter 6.

Currently in my new ministry as worship leader of my church, I lean heavily on my pastor for guidance and wisdom concerning my involvement as a leader in front of the congregation. As I seek his guidance as well as God’s, it’s my intention to not only lead in worship, but to speak God’s Word into the hearts of those I’m leading, relating to the audience through music. Diving deeper into His Word, particularly the book of Romans and knowing the Apostle who wrote it, will give me the confidence I need to speak boldly and confidently.

How do you relate to people in your church as you lead?

Introduction to Romans 6: part 10 - Other thoughts to Apostle Paul's letter

In looking at this week's reading of Romans 6, it's important to briefly look back at some context; what is said before the passage and after, in order to find additional application nuggets or just have a deeper understanding. In Romans chapter 5, Paul helps us in understanding how to "rejoice in our sufferings (Romans 5:3)." This can be a hard thing to swallow, or ask someone to fully comprehend when dealing with pain. I have often told someone who was suffering through a trial, that God has them right where they need to be. I have also relayed that Jesus said, "in this world we will have troubles" or that, as Romans 5:4 states, our perseverance will eventually result in a hope that does not disappoint. However, a suffering believer sometimes can't bring themselves to fully live in the hope that is found in God and His salvation when the pain is too great. It's hard for someone like me, through my leadership in the church as one who has a spiritual gift for exhortation, to speak Truth. 

Who have you helped recently while reciting Scripture?  Do you know what your spiritual gifts are?

Introduction to Romans 6: part 9 - Application for the church

Looking back at our passage study of Romans 6:1-11, the passage opens up a deeper understanding that can fuel the life of the Church in ways that brings an understanding that life is not full of roses as a Christian. Although this passage does not speak to it directly, it lends understanding that once we have a first-class seat to eternity; we can rest in that blessed assurance of the Father’s Glory so when trouble does come (and it will come, along with the temptation of sin to the old, mortal body) we can get through trials and we, too, will eventually “overcome the world (John 16:33).”


If you're a leader or a pastor, do you fuel your church with deep application that drives others to want to learn more about God and how to get to know Christ personally?

Introduction to Romans 6: part 8 - Further application

In my current position as a worship leader in my church, I am called to read Scripture, even relate passages to the music selections each week in order to help the congregation gain a similar understanding of Scripture through the weekly sermon. I am expected to be diligent in my study of the Word, attend Sunday School regularly, and be “prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have (1 Pet. 3:15).” My advance studies with Moody Bible Institute are constantly used in this capacity as well.

How do you use Scripture in your daily life?

Introduction to Romans 6: part 7 - Further application

Looking into my own life, analyzing Scripture helps me to gain a deeper understanding of God’s Word. Going deeper means studying the relationships between passages, epistles, and Gospels. It is taking an extra step closer to becoming Christ-like. For example, I can now see how Romans 6:4 correlates with a similar message the Apostle Paul told the church in Galatia (cf. Gal. 2:20). Or how 6:8 is similar to what Paul told the Corinthians; further understanding that, as believers, we die to self, and are raised to live for Him who “died and rose again (2 Cor. 5:15).” Breaking down Scripture to study its meaning leads to seeing how inerrant all of Scripture really is (2 Tim. 3:16).

How has this lesson helped you to see?

Introduction to Romans 6: part 6 - Further application

As we continue to dive into Scripture, particularly this passage in Romans, it's important to try to glean some application points without skewing the original message. I'll be the first to mention that this application might not be perfect, nor the interpretation of the Scripture, but Christ is perfect and I pray that the Holy Spirit is guiding my heart in this study.  Here are three points I can see that can help us all as Christians "walk the walk" a little taller.

Being a Christian is not just getting something (i.e. new life, freedom), it is about becoming someone. Firstly, we are now heirs to the throne of the Father and will be raised from the dead in the same way Christ was raised (6:4). Secondly, we must know who we are (6:3). Thirdly, we must believe who we are and act in a manner that reflects someone who is “alive to God in Christ Jesus (6:8, 11).”

Introduction to Romans 6: part 5 - Application

Looking at some of the application points from this passage; first of all, it is a constant reminder to that, as believers, sin no longer has a hold on us. However, even though we are saved by God’s grace Jesus Christ’s redemptive work, sin is still alive all around us. Sin can still affect our mortal, fleshy body which is still part of the old man (Rom. 6:12). However, since now we are no longer slaves to sin and have been freed from its death grip, we have Christ’s power, fueled by receiving the Holy Spirit, to turn away from sinful desires and control the desires of the flesh and use them for good. For all human desires, wants and needs are inherently good because God gave them to us when he made us and called it good (Gen. 1:27, 31). It is the sinful nature of man that allows those desires to be fulfilled by sinful ways.

How do you see this Scripture applied to your current life?

Introduction of Romans 6: part 4

As stated before, taking the passage clause by clause, we can further break down the message to see the relationships between death and life, being slaves to sin versus having freedom in Christ. Let's now look at the second half of the passage:

Clause-by-clause representation completed by blog author

Paul relates us to Christ as having a similar salvation; we were crucified and brought back to life with Him (6:6-8). Prior to being saved from a life and death situation, believers are sinning in their selfishness, pride and lusts leading to their death (cf. 6:12, 6:23). Believers in Christ have been freed from sin’s death grip and have been made free through Christ’s redeeming work (6:6-7, 11). As Christ was raised from the dead, so too for those who believe are alive and have been made new (6:4).

Reference:
Vincent, Marvin Richardson. Word Studies in the New Testament. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887. Print.

 

Introduction to Romans 6: part 3

Additionally, taking the passage clause by clause, we can further break down the message to see the relationships between death and life, being slaves to sin versus having freedom in Christ. I've added the breakdown as a photo, since it's easier to see from a Word Document perspective with track changes below.

Clause-by-clause representation created by blog author

As seen in the breakdown of verses 1-5 above, the Apostle Paul hits home the doctrine of salvation within practically each verse. We have been baptized as a new creation (6:3). We died and have brought back to life (6:4, repeated again at length through 6:8-10). 

Next, we'll look at the second half of this passage in the same manner.

Introduction to Romans 6: part 2

As stated in my last post, Romans 6:1-11 is a very easy passage for new Christians to relate to, and even for seasoned Christians who need to be reminded of what their life in Christ means and how they should be living. Making it even easier for the new Christian, the Apostle Paul begins with what we already should know starting in verse 3:

3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?

6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be [done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin.

9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.

11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus (our main theme; underlined words and bold text added for emphasis).

Almost as if meant to be written in a pattern easy to follow, every third verse repeats a form of the root word “know.” Similarly, the verses that come in between these selected ones reiterate what we should know as born-again Christians. Paul also uses a lot of contrast between death and life to drive the point (illustrated by the bolded lines in verse 9): dead to sin, alive in Christ.

Next we'll break down the passage by clauses to see that Paul is trying to cement the relationship that believers have with Christ.

Introduction to Romans 6: part 1

The book of Romans has been referred to as a good place to start reading for new Christians after reading through the Gospels (see reference below). Perhaps one reason Romans is a good place to dive into (or routinely come back to) is that one of the Apostle Paul’s common analogies to get his message across is to use the act of baptism to describe the Christian’s relationship with Christ. Another common way in Scripture to relate to readers or hearers of the Word, especially for Paul in his letter to the Roman church, is to portray his message through a question and answer session, anticipating what his audience will say before they say it in response to what they might be thinking.

Romans 6:1-11 is a very easy passage for new Christians to relate to, and even for seasoned
Christians who need to be reminded of what their life in Christ means and how they should be living. The passage’s first 10 verses leads to its main theme, much like a conclusion to a mystery novel. It hits home to those who are believers in Christ Jesus; they are dead to sin and alive in Christ.

We'll discuss this passage at length throughout the next several posts.

References:
"Where Is a Good Place to Start Reading the Bible?" GotQuestions.org. Got Questions Ministries, 2002-2015. Web. 12 Jan. 2015.