Mediation on Romans 6:1

As Paul leaves no doubt in the readers mind about our justification in Christ and us inheriting eternal life, righteousness, and grace through faith in that Christ was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification, the question then arises: why not sin, why not continue in sin? The question Paul actually assumes will be asked is, "Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" This question is actually quite subtle. The question Paul assumes has a purpose clause. Shall we continue in sin, so that, in order for, grace may abound. See it is God's grace that is bringing Him glory, so why not sin in order for grace to abound. This is carnal thinking at its' best, yea at it's worst. The main issue I want to focus on is Paul's answer. He says, "How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" Paul does not start listing off rules and regulations, a list of do's and don'ts, rather Paul gives some information never known before up to this point. Paul says how shall we, how can we live any longer in sin if we are dead to sin. He actually doesn't even place in "if" in the question rather just an "are". We "are dead to sin". Paul doesn't deal with the symptoms of our sin nature; our sins, rather the source, the sin nature itself; our flesh. God has identified us in Christ death and this is the very grounds in which the sin nature loses dominion over us today. Christ death is the means by which sin loses its' power today.

"How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" When we properly know and understand and reckon this fact by faith, the Spirit will work this truth effectually in our Christian walk gaining the right mind to renew daily, answering with Paul, how shall we live any longer therein because we are dead to sin. Praise God for His Word and what Christ has done for us at Calvary. If you are trying to defeat sin today without the death of Christ your attempts are vain, if you are trying to defeat sin by law keeping you are depending on a fleshly means for deliverance from fleshly failure. You are looking for strength from the very source (law) from which you are seeking deliverance. Deliverance comes only from Christ's work at Calvary, set your eyes on Calvary and you in Him. More to come.

Look Up,
Josh Strelecki

"While We Were Yet Sinners"

The work of Christ at Calvary is the source of God's power today. It is a power source that can generate life into a twice dead Gentile today (dead in our sins and the uncircumcision of our flesh ). Christ's work at Calvary is able to save a sinner in while they are yet a sinner. It is not a gospel cliche to, "turn from your sin and then Christ will save you"; for how can one turn from their sin while yet in their sin, while yet a sinner. The gospel is so powerful that while yet a sinner Christ died for us. God has stepped into human history in order to save sinners. It is while you are a sinner that Christ dies for you. It is therefore a great tragedy that so many often share a gospel to turn from one's sin as if they have the power to do so. It is rather blasphemy to think that one can turn from their sin. God has concluded all under sin and fallen short of His glory. How can we then before being saved measure up to His glory to then receive salvation? This is not good news at all, but rather the flesh revealing itself in vain theology of so many scholars and professors today. May we have faith in God's power to save us while yet a sinner. While yet a sinner is the starting point in which God then continues to work His salvation in my life. He justifies (declares righteous) me in His courtroom, He sanctifies (sets apart) me giving me an identity; an atonement with Christ, and glorifies (inheritance in heavenly places) me. God works a complete salvation and at the moment one receives the gospel, how that Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again from the dead, He starts this work of salvation while yet a sinner and takes you from the lowest of the low to the highest of the high in Christ. To God His salvation is as good as done. May we not diminish the great power of God unto salvation revealed in the gospel.

"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Look Up,
Josh Strelecki