"Thanks be to God"
[Romans 6:15-18]
Let’s review once again the message from Romans 6:12-14 [Title: The Result of Resurrection with Christ].
As Jesus Christ died once for sin and lives forever for God (v. 10), we should also consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus, and we must live accordingly.
First, we should live as those who are dead to sin.
We must not allow sin to reign over our bodies (v. 12). We must not obey the sinful desires of the body (v. 12). The word “desires” in the original Greek has been translated in many ways (more than 10 translations), and some translations refer to the desire or craving for good deeds, not sin.
For example, see Philippians 1:23: “I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.” Here, the phrase “to be with Christ” is translated as “the desire to be with Christ” in some versions.
We must not present our members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin (Romans 6:13).
Second, we must live as those who are alive to God.
We must live as those who have been resurrected with Christ (v. 13). We must present ourselves to God (v. 13). We must present our bodily members as instruments (tools) of righteousness to God (v. 13).
Today, we will focus on Romans 6:15-18 under the title "Thanks be to God."
Let’s look at Romans 6:17-18: “But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered; and having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”
The word “originally” in Romans 6:17 refers to the fact that we were originally slaves to sin (v. 17), but through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God has made us slaves to righteousness (v. 18). Therefore, we must give thanks to God (v. 17).
Also, in Romans 6:17, we see the word “you” used twice. In Romans 6:1-23, the word “we” (mostly in the first part) appears 11 times, and the word “you” (mostly in the second part) appears 21 times. The words "we" and "you" have the same meaning, referring to those who have been baptized with Christ, buried with Him, and resurrected with Him (v. 4).
We have considered four types of baptism:
(1) Those who were baptized in the Holy Spirit first, and then baptized in water.
(2) Those who were baptized in water first, and then baptized in the Holy Spirit.
(3) Those who were baptized only in the Holy Spirit.
(4) Those who were baptized only in water.
The terms "we" and "you" only apply to those who fall into categories (1), (2), or (3). Those who have only received water baptism are not included in "we" or "you".
In other words, "we" and "you" refer to those who have received the Holy Spirit baptism and then water baptism, or vice versa, or only received the Holy Spirit baptism. Those who have only received water baptism are not included.
In the church, many people receive only water baptism and serve in ministry roles, but later receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. However, there are also some who have only received water baptism and have not received the Holy Spirit baptism. If you are one of these, it is crucial to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. You must desire it and ask God for it. The baptism of the Holy Spirit refers to regeneration or being born again. Accepting Jesus Christ and becoming a child of God is the result of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, we must give thanks to God (v. 17). The reason is that we were originally slaves of sin [we were spiritually dead from the beginning. We were dead, and we were born dead. When we die physically, we would have been condemned to eternal death (second death)]. But now, God has made us slaves of righteousness (v. 17-18).
In the Bible, there are people who should be thankful but are not. For example, in Luke 17:11-19, when Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, He entered a village and met ten lepers. At that time, the lepers cried out to Jesus, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" (v. 13). Jesus saw them and said, "Go show yourselves to the priests," and as they went, they were cleansed (v. 14). However, out of the ten lepers who were healed, only one, a Samaritan, upon seeing that he had been healed, returned loudly glorifying God and fell at Jesus' feet to give thanks (vv. 15-16).
Another example is found in Acts 3:1-10, where the apostles Peter and John were going up to the temple when a man who had been lame from birth was begging at the gate of the temple (vv. 1-3). At that moment, Peter said to him, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk" (v. 6). Then, Peter took the lame man by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankles received strength, so that he stood and began walking (vv. 7-8). He went with them into the temple, walking, leaping, and praising God (v. 8).
We should be thankful and rejoice in God like that Samaritan leper who fell at Jesus' feet to thank Him, and like the lame man who was healed. The reason is that, originally, we were slaves to sin, but now we have become slaves to righteousness. Therefore, we should start each day with thanksgiving, live the entire day with gratitude, and end the day with thanks, even in our dreams, we should thank God. Is this not living the life of heaven?
Also, in Romans 6:17, it says, "the form of doctrine which was delivered to you," and "doctrine" refers to the gospel of Jesus Christ—the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on the cross. And "form" refers to the word of God, the essence of the gospel. We must enter into this gospel and be evangelized. Our thoughts must become the gospel of Jesus Christ, and by the power of this gospel, our actions must reveal the fragrance of the gospel. It is not by our strength, but the Holy Spirit does it in us. The Holy Spirit gives us strong faith and causes us to give thanks and rejoice in God.
Moreover, in Romans 6:17, "obedience from the heart" refers to obeying God's word, the gospel of Jesus Christ, with a pure and clean heart (not merely outwardly). An example of this can be found in the believers of the Thessalonian church. They, despite many tribulations, received the word with joy from the Holy Spirit and obeyed, becoming examples of the Apostle Paul and the Lord (1 Thessalonians 1:6). And they became examples to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia (v. 7).
Obedience is the fruit of faith. If we have faith, we obey. Why do we fail to live a life of obedience? The reason is that our faith is weak.
In Romans 6:18, it says, "having been set free from sin." Originally, sin ruled over our lives. Sin captured us and kept us from moving. But now, through Jesus Christ, we have been set free from sin. Therefore, now we can fight against sin and overcome it. The devil flees. We are no longer those who commit sin (1 John 3:6, 9). We no longer deliberately sin (willful sin), we don’t sin habitually (habitual sin), nor do we plan and scheme to sin (premeditated sin). However, we still commit other types of sin. A biblical example is the Apostle Peter. When Jesus called him, he left everything to follow Jesus and followed Him for three years, but he still sinned. When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, deeply distressed and about to die, He asked His disciples to stay awake and pray, but when He returned after praying, He found them sleeping (Mark 14:32-37). Seeing this, Jesus said to Peter, "... Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (vv. 37-38). Though Peter's spirit was willing, his flesh was weak, and in the end, he sinned. This was not willful, habitual, or premeditated sin, but rather a sin committed out of weakness and falling into temptation.
Peter also sinned when he denied Jesus three times after Jesus was arrested (Matthew 26:70, 72, 74). However, when Peter remembered Jesus' words that he would deny Him before the rooster crowed, he went outside and wept bitterly, repenting (v. 75). Peter also sinned when he was rebuked by the Apostle Paul in Antioch (Galatians 2:11). He had been eating with Gentiles, but when some Jews sent by James from Jerusalem arrived, he became afraid and withdrew (v. 12, Modern Translation). As a result, other Jews also pretended not to eat with the Gentiles, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy (v. 13, Modern Translation).
When, like the Apostle Peter, we sin because our flesh is weak, even though our spirit is willing, we should hold onto the promise in 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (Modern Translation: "If we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive us and cleanse us from all wickedness"). We must diligently repent.
In Romans 6:18, it also says, "slaves of righteousness." Jesus Christ is the righteous Servant: "The righteous Servant" (Isaiah 53:11), "The righteous Branch" (Jeremiah 23:5), "The Sun of Righteousness" (Malachi 4:2, Modern Translation). We have become servants of Jesus Christ. In the Roman era, there were many slaves during the time of Paul. A slave in that time had no freedom or human rights; they were merely tools for their masters. Slaves could become such as a result of losing a war, because of debt, or by birth. In short, they were slaves by force. But now, through Jesus Christ, we have been set free from sin, and we have become willing servants of Jesus Christ.
During this challenging time caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we must give thanks to God. The reason is that we were originally slaves to sin, but through Jesus Christ, we have been set free and now become servants of righteousness. Therefore, no matter what situation we face, we must enjoy true freedom, joy, and thanksgiving in Christ. When we give thanks, our problems will be resolved.