v.1-11
1. Structure: The subject of reign in life 5:17, 21 raise the question in 6:1. And the answer is in 6:9-11. If death (dying for sin) no longer has mastery over him, (and he lives to God) then so should we. This is not just our knowledge, but also how we shall see ourselves.
2. In order to answer the question in 6:1,
A. Paul explained further who "we" are.
died to sin...therefore should not still live in it v.2
baptized into Christ Jesus...baptized into his death...so that we lie a new life v.3-4
explanation: Baptizing=uniting v.5
B. application:
a. the negative aspect: uniting/crucified with Christ...body of sin no longer dominate us...we would no longer be enslaved to sin (freed from sin) v.6-7
b. the positive aspect: live with him=death no longer has mastery over him (He lives to/for God)...we too consider ourselves this way (to live for God) v.8-11
Questions
1. Are we to remain in sin so that grace may increase?
2. died to sin...therefore should not still live in it v.2
baptized into Christ Jesus...baptized into his death...so that we lie a new life v.3-4
3. Jesus Christ will redeem us when we sin and confess
4. We know that since Christ has been raised from the dead, he is never going to die again; death no longer has mastery over him v.9
live with him=death no longer has mastery over him (He lives to/for God)...we too consider ourselves this way (to live for God) v.8-11
5. consider
6. I'm free from sin, sin has no mastery over me. I should live for God. This is not only in my knowledge, but I should see myself this way.
v.12-23
1. Structure:
a. Sin is no longer passive (Christian chose to live in sin v.1), but actively wants to dominate us. Therefore, passively, do not allow that.v.12
b. Actively, do not present ourselves for sin to dominate v.13-23
Even though in fact sin cannot be our master (v.1-12), but this is still possible when we foolishly present ourselves as its' servant v.16.
To do so is unreasonable. We had already been there and there is no benefit v.21 and we are ashamed of doing that v.21.
Reflection: Something inside of us, or what I consider as natural to me is not something that I need to follow.
Benefit and things that I ashamed are something that require me to think. If I just follow my natural instinct to live I will fall back to sin.
2. Observations:
a. the explanation of mastery: obey its desires v.12, your members as instruments to be used for the master v.13, obedient slaves/master v.16, when you present your members as slave to a subject you will lead to more of that subject v.19
b. facts about master/salve: it is possible to change! v.17-18
c. our past experience as slave to sin can be helpful in a sense that we can do the same presenting to righteousness v.19
Reflection: How do I obey sin's desires? Since I have sin nature, those desires may seem very natural to me. How do I present my members as instrument to be used by sin? To stir by disharmony in the Christian fellowship. To unforgiving to other Christians. When do I present my self to sin and lead to more sin? My addiction.
How do I obey present my members as instrument for righteousness? To serve ourselves, to speak kind words. How do I present myself to righteousness leading to sanctification? When I prayed that I wanted to grow and present myself every morning for God's use.
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