Paul discussed Adam and Jesus. Adam, one man, brought sin and death into the world and death ruled man. The result of what one man, Jesus, did is much greater. God gives his abundant grace freely, because of the obedience of one man, Jesus Christ.
If we have died to sin, how can we go on living in it? Our baptism allows us to share in the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. Just as Jesus was raised to life, so are we. We are to think of ourselves as dead to sin and living in fellowship with God through Christ Jesus. Surrender your whole being to God to use for His righteous purposes. Sin must not be your master because you live under God's grace. At one time you surrendered completely to sin, likewise you surrender yourself completely to God. What was the payoff for sin? Death. The payoff for righteous living is eternal life.
Paul used an analogy of marriage to explain sin and death and righteousness and life. "No longer do we serve in the old way of a written law, but in the new way of the Spirit." (7:6) The law explained sin to us. The Law is holy and serves a holy purpose - to get us to see that we need the grace of God. That's good. Even though Paul desired to do good, he himself was not capable of doing it. Sin kept him prisoner. But God through Jesus Christ rescued us all.
If we live in union with Christ Jesus, through the law of the Spirit, we have been set free. "Those who live as their human nature tells them to, have their minds controlled by what human nature wants. Those who live as the Spirit tells them to, have their minds controlled by what the Spirit wants." (8:5) Those who obey their human nature do not please God. God's Spirit joins with our spirits and makes us His children. Paul reckoned that the suffering we experience isn't worth comparing to the amazing glory that is going to be revealed to us. Paul even thought about creation being subject to decay and groaning in pain and one day sharing the gift of eternal life. So we suffer and groan as we wait for God to set our whole being free. Hope is what led us here and it's what keeps us patient while we wait.
Tomorrow read Romans 8:26-11:24
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