The Christian is Obligated to Live a Holy Life
Preparing for Romans 6.
Romans 6 begins a section where Paul defends what he has been teaching from some who opposed what he had been proclaiming. These opponents would have most likely consisted of the Judaizing Christians with whom Paul clashed throughout the New Testament.
Paul’s opponent…believes fervently that Paul is undermining holiness by undermining the law since he makes acquittal independent of performance. Now he thinks: “If Paul’s view is correct, the more one sins the more grace multiplies and the more glory God gets. Since we live only to get glory for God we ought to sin all the more and let grace abound to God’s glory.” - McGuiggan, Romans, 179
For the next several chapters (Romans 6:1-8:17), Paul presents different arguments demonstrating how his opponents are wrong about what he’s been teaching.
Paul began the “deep dive” into the gospel of Christ by explaining how God’s wrath is “revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men” (Romans 1:18).
What logically follows someone becoming a Christian is not a life of more sin but a life of holiness and godliness. The Christian has a responsibility to be holy. The apostle Peter reminded Christians of this same truth.
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:13-16)
Responding to the gospel of Christ and being justified by the blood of Christ (Romans 5:9) is not the end of our responsibility but merely the beginning.
The person who understands this chapter will sense clearly and convincingly that conversion is not the end of Christian living, worship and service, but the beautiful beginning with lifelong obligations now his. - Taylor, Studies in Romans, 109-110
Lord willing, in our upcoming studies, Paul will offer three main reasons why Christians were not dominated by sin despite not having the Law of Moses (Pollard, Truth for Today Commentary, 198).
The Christian has died to sin (Romans 6:1-14).
The Christian has become a slave of righteousness (Romans 6:15-23).
The Christian has been set free from the Law (Romans 7:1-6).
Why are there no comments to your reasonable proclamation of what Apostle Paul wrote as he was led by the Holy Spirit? In the last days Paul describes what the churches would be like, unholy and lovers of themselves.As Israel broke their connection with The Most High God,so has the churches followed suit.There are always exceptions until the end
of the time of the gentiles. Unless Agape is shown in some capacity for
our brothers and the commandments such as do not judge by appearance are kept diligently,the churches will open its doors to darkness. Shouldn't this Truth humble our hearts and cause us to desire to abide in The Most Holy? Thank you for a very important and timely article of Faith.
Joseph.
Why are there no comments to your reasonable proclamation