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resolutions before the believer in Christ but none can improve on God's remedy for the
deliverance from the bondage of sin and self.
No.12.
6: 12 - 7: 7.
pp. 61 - 65
When the believer `reckons' as 6: 11 enjoins, that he himself is dead to sin yet alive
to God, the practical result is expressed in the next verse:
"Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires"
(verse 12, N.I.V.).
Without this reckoning, the exhortation would be impossible to carry out.
Identification with Christ in His death and burial means the end of slavery to sin. A
"newness of life" (verse 4) follows because of identification with His resurrection life
and this means glorious freedom. In fact slavery and freedom sum up the section before
us. Let us note this:
"Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness" (6: 18).
"For when ye were the servants (slaves) of sin, ye were free from righteousness" (6: 20).
"But now being made free from sin, and become servants (slaves) to God" (6: 22).
"If her husband be dead, she is free from that law" (7: 3).
"For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin
and death" (8: 2).
"Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into
the glorious liberty of the children of God" (8: 21).
And now the references to slavery and bondage; the reader should note that in the
A.V. this is veiled by being translated "serve" or "servants":
"That henceforth we should not be slaves to (serve) sin" (6: 6).
"Slaves (servants) to obey, his slaves (servants) ye are" (6: 16).
"Ye were the slaves (servants) of sin" (6: 17).
"Ye became slaves (servants) of righteousness" (6: 18).
"Slaves (servants) to uncleanness . . . . . slaves (servants) to righteousness unto
holiness" (6: 19).
"When ye were the slaves of sin" (6: 20).
"Now . . . . . having become slaves (servants) to God" (6: 22).
"Ye have not received the spirit of bondage' (8: 15).
"Shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption" (8: 21).
The two conditions are absolute opposites. One speaks of slavery, darkness and
misery; the other of glorious freedom, peace, joy and contentment--freedom now to
serve the Lord faithfully and carry out His will. It may be summed up in a threefold way.
The believer in Christ is in:
(1)
A new sphere--"newness of life".
(2)
A condition--union, crucified with, dead with, buried with, raised with Christ.
(3)
A state--freedom to serve Him faithfully.