Rev. Clint Poppe, pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Romans 6:12-23.
God’s gracious action in Christ delivered in Holy Baptism means that sin is no longer the Christian’s king or lord. Therefore, St. Paul commands that we must not live in our bodies as if sin is our king. Though we think sin is under our control, sin quickly progresses to control us. However, this is not our reality in Christ. Our members are not weapons put into service for sin and unrighteousness, but instruments of good works that God has given to us as He has brought us from death to life. This action of God by His grace is our controlling reality, not so that we would continue in sin, but so that we would present ourselves as obedient slaves to righteousness. God be praised! This is exactly what has happened, not out of compulsion, but from willing, grateful hearts molded by God to the doctrine that Jesus has given us. Such slavery is not to be understood in the human way of tyranny. Rather, Jesus is our gracious Lord who sacrifices Himself for our good. Though sin deceptively offers freedom from righteousness, its fruits are only full of shame and the wage paid is death. Our gracious God, however, freely gives to His people eternal life in Christ Jesus the Lord.
“The Righteousness of God for You” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. Human righteousness cannot save, because all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. Only the righteousness of God can bring life and forgiveness to sinners. This is the righteousness that He has fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the righteousness that is revealed in the Gospel, the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. This is the righteousness that is not earned, but is freely given by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
