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Romans , #6. The Applications of Divine Righteousness, 12:1 - 13:14. Romans #6 , The Application of Divine Righteousness. Thus far, we’ve examined: The Need of Divine Righteousness, chps.1- 3:20 The Manifestation of Divine Righteousness, chps.3:21 - 5
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Romans, #6 The Applications of Divine Righteousness, 12:1 - 13:14
Romans #6, TheApplicationof Divine Righteousness • Thus far, we’ve examined: The Need of Divine Righteousness,chps.1- 3:20 The Manifestation of Divine Righteousness,chps.3:21 - 5 The Attainmentof Divine Righteousness,chps.6-8 The Maintenanceof Divine Righteousness,chps.9-11
Romans #6, TheApplicationof Divine Righteousness • Today, we see the last two lessons: The Application of Divine Righteousness,chps.12- 13 The Abuses of Divine Righteousness,chps.14-15 (chp.16will not be included in our study)
Romans #6, TheApplicationof Divine Righteousness • Recognize the Division between the Doctrinal and Practical sections of the Epistle: -Chapters 1-11 give the schematic of God’s plan to save man. -While Chapters 12-15 then give us theapplicationaspect of God’s plan: >What does it require of me once reconciled? >How do I maintain this freedom from condemnation obtained through God’s Grace and My Faith?
Romans #6, TheApplicationof Divine Righteousness • How then do I live in response to God’s Plan- How do I stay pleasing to Him? ThroughSacrifice and Transformation: >putting to death the “old man of sin” (cf.6:6-7i.e. sacrificing self) >and being reborn to a new life (cf. 6:8- 14 i.e. resurrection / transformation). The importance of Romans 12:1-2 cannot be overlooked in this process applying Divine Righteousness!
Romans #6, TheApplicationof Divine Righteousness • How then do I live in response to God’s Plan- How do I stay pleasing to Him? These two verses serve as a pivot point between the doctrinal and applicationportions of the book. Most of chps.1-11 serve as context for these two verses. Outside of 1:16-17(theme/purpose of the book), these two verses are the most critical in the letter.
Romans #6, TheApplicationof Divine Righteousness • So, let’s examine closely these phrases: “by the mercies of God” -which have been outlined & explained through His eternal scheme to bring about man’s salvation: >showing both the need of grace >as well as the applicationand effectsof it.
Romans #6, TheApplicationof Divine Righteousness • So, let’s examine closely these phrases: “present your bodies” -Outside of our souls, our bodies are the most precious possession we own. -Here they are to be“living sacrifices”. -This isnotin opposition to dead animal sacrifices presented by the Jews under the previous law system. Why?
Romans #6, TheApplicationof Divine Righteousness • Two important reasons: 1. That concept may be part of theHebrews letter (cf.Heb.9:1,11-12,28), but hasnotbeen part of the context ofRomans. 2. In truth, no Jew presented adead animalfor sacrifice to begin with.Live animals were brought to the altar and presented to the priest. So, to what does “living sacrifice” refer?
Romans #6, TheApplicationof Divine Righteousness • The “living sacrifice” of “our bodies” refers instead to: The previous context, Rom.6:13,19: wherelivingis put in opposition to dead, not in reference to dead animal sacrifices, but rather to becoming dead to sin through crucifixion or putting to death of the old self-the man/body of sin! (see also 6:4-11)
Romans #6, TheApplicationof Divine Righteousness • Again, let’s examine closely these phrases: “living, holy, acceptable sacrifice” Our bodies, purchased/redeemed by God with the sacrifice of Jesus (cf.5:8-9),are to be dedicated not to the pursuit and fulfillment of its own lust, but to God as “living sacrifices”. Barely livingor sick is not acceptable, see also 1Cor.11:30; Eph.5:14. Our sacrifice should be unblemishedin this regard!
Romans #6, TheApplicationof Divine Righteousness • Again, let’s examine closely these phrases: “living, holy, acceptable sacrifice” This is not attained by perfect law keeping but by the cleansing nature of Christ’s blood, Eph.5:26; Heb.9:22. Relative to our sacrifice being “holy,” it is not to be tainted with the pollution of divided interests, v.2; cf. 1Pet.1:15-16; James 4;7-10. In these ways, and in these alone, will the sacrifice of “our bodies” be “acceptable” to God!
Romans #6, TheApplicationof Divine Righteousness Think about it…. Is this not the same answer given by the Lord to the rich young ruler inMark 12:30? It is the same thing here in Romans 12:1!
Romans #6, TheApplicationof Divine Righteousness • How are we enabled to do these things? We are“transformed” by the process ofrenewing the mind! By refusal to be conformed to the world,1Jn. 2:15-17 Does Goddo it for us by the Holy Spirit? If so, why does the Spirit lay the responsibilityfor it squarely upon us inv.2? No, it is accomplishedday by day (2Cor.4:16)through the continual process of enlightenment through the Word by dedication to its understanding and application.(cf. Eph.5:10; Phil.4:8-9)
Romans #6, TheApplicationof Divine Righteousness It occurs quite naturally, albeit not without considerable effort, and is a process of that which begins at baptism, Rom.6:3.
Romans #6, TheApplicationof Divine Righteousness • What results from this LivingSacrifice of the Body and Transformation of the Mind? A changed attitude/activity toward: >Self, 12:3-8manifested through service >One Another, 12:9-16manifested through service and devotion >All Men, 12:17-21manifested by non-retaliation & overcoming evil with good >Government, 13:1-8through good citizenship >Love & Lust, 13:8-14.
Romans #6, TheApplicationof Divine Righteousness Conclusion? True sacrifice and transformation alters every aspect of our lives…. or it is neither sacrificial nor transforming! This is the effect of God’s plan!