In Christ

For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of his resurrection, 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; for he who has died is free from sin. -Romans 6:5-7

I was watching a pastor on TV last night (don't worry she was a good one) and this very issue of works and faith was raised. She mistakingly and unfortunately made the assumption that anyone who may call to the carpet wrongdoing (drinking, smoking, chew; or going with the girls that do) was judgmental and therefore repulsive. She even showed (in 9 verses of Galatians) how Paul was against works and how it is faith in God alone that defines the Christian life. I will respond through the text of Romans 6 to not just this pastor (I really do like her) but to the view that works are in direct opposition to faith.

First of all I want to remind us that in Chapter 3 (see below) that we were declared justified through faith. The key here is that this is how we come to be justified. This faith is in direct opposition to the law as a method of earning this declaration. So, in chapters 4-5 (see below) Paul makes an extended argument that through our being justified we are able to live righteously (within the covenant). That brings us to chapter 6.

Right away, we must pay attention to verse 1! "Should we go on sinning? Certainly not!" That should rest the case, but Paul continues to lay out why this should not be the approach of any believer to think that because we are depraved that this should be license to live in our depravity as if there were no power present on this earth to change it. 

The only true and real escape from sin is death! Dead people do not sin any longer. In this way, death becomes our ultimate escape from the flesh, or sinful flesh. In chapter 6 Paul will show how this faith in Christ is an identification (not water baptism) with his crucifixion (see Mark 10:35-40). The argument here is that if we are identified through faith with his crucifixion then we are dead to sin, just not completely. It is not that I have a power over sin, but rather that sin has no power over me.

Paul's next point is crucial. If you have become identified through faith with Christ's crucifixion then you will live in his resurrection. In other words, if you have identified in his death (through faith, not water) then you will identify with his life. The question for us (and Paul) is "What does that look like?" Paul will answer this in 6:8-23.

His answer, you are different! You are alive! You have been crucified to sin so that you may live!

Live like it! Love like it! Wake up and change the world!

Living the Christian life must, and I mean must, look like something.