In Romans 6.1, the Apostle Paul asks, “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?” His answer is an emphatic, “No!” Jesus Christ died and rose again so that we might progressively eradicate sin from our lives.As I explained in yesterday’s comments on Romans 6.1-4, baptism symbolizes the dividing line between sin and salvation in a Christian’s life. Romans 6.5-10 moves from symbol to reality. If baptism provides a powerful reason to stop sinning, then our actual union with Christ provides an even more powerful reason. Consider what Paul writes in Romans 6.5-10: If we have been united … Continue reading Grace and Sin, Part 2: Death and Resurrection (Romans 6.5-10)

In Romans 6.1-4, the Apostle Paul asks a thought-provoking question about the relationship between grace and sin.Here’s what Paul writes: What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live … Continue reading Grace and Sin, Part 1: Baptism (Romans 6.1-4)

â..In Adamâ..s Fall, we sinned all.â. Thatâ..s the doctrine of original sin according to The New England Primer. But is the doctrine fair? Consider what Paul writes in Romans 5.18-21: Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. The law was added so that the trespass might increase. … Continue reading But Is It Fair? (Romans 5.18-21)

What is original sin? When our Puritan forefathers taught their children the alphabet, they made sure to include small doses of theology along the way. So, for example, the New England Primer, first published in 1690, used this couplet for the letter A: In Adam’s Fall, we sinned all. That’s about as succinct a statement of the doctrine of original sin as you’ll ever find. The original sin is “Adam’s Fall,” his disobedience of God’s commandment in the Garden of Eden. Unfortunately, Adam’s disobedience brought death into the world as God’s judgment against sin. But that judgment did not just … Continue reading Original Sin (Romans 5.12-14)