But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. For example, if I obey my appetite constantly, I am a slave to it. So we have a choice in our slavery: sin leading to death or obedience leading to righteousness.
One way or another, we will serve somebody. Though you were slaves of sin : Paul puts it in the past tense because we have been freed from our slavery to sin. He also says that we have been set free by faith , which he describes as obedience from the heart. Now live every day consistent with that freedom. As was seen earlier in Romans 6 , we can be legally free and still choose to live like a prisoner. Paul has a simple command and encouragement for the Christian: be what you are. Obeyed from the heart is a wonderful description of faith.
It shows that faith comes from the heart , not only the mind. It shows that faith results in obedience because if we really believe something, we will act according to that belief. That form of doctrine : This phrase is part of a beautiful picture.
The word form describes a mold used to shape molten metal. Then He pours us into His mold of truth — that form of doctrine and shapes us into His image. The figure upon this die is the image of God, righteousness and true holiness , which was stamped on their souls in believing the Gospel and receiving the Holy Ghost.
The words They were melted down under the preaching of the word, and then were capable of receiving the stamp of its purity. Rom Why not then, occasionally sin? Because sin is not our master, and we no longer serve it. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. Having been set free from sin : What does it mean to be free from sin and to become a slave of righteousness?
It means that sin is no longer your boss or your master. Now righteousness is your boss, so serve righteousness instead of sin. Slaves of righteousness : What does it mean to be a slave? A slave was more than an employee. The noted Greek scholar Kenneth Wuest defined the ancient Greek word for a slave here by these terms:. The following was once true in regard to our slavery to sin:. Now the following is true in regard to our slavery to righteousness:.
Set free from sin : This means that we never have to sin again. Sinless perfection in this body is an illusion. Yet we know that in the power of Jesus we each can resist the next temptation — and that is what Jesus wants us to be concerned with.
But the point is, God has so constituted him, that he need not do so. Jesus Christ tells us to no longer behave as if we were slaves to sin. We have been set free; now we are to think and live as free people.
Rom How to keep from enslaving ourselves. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh : The Apostle Paul apologized for using slavery as an illustration, because it was so degrading and pervasive, and especially because many of his Roman readers were slaves.
Yet he knew this was an accurate and meaningful illustration. You presented your members First, present your members as slaves of righteousness. Can you imagine? A new job, and the first day on the new job you leave work at lunch time and go to your old job and ask your old boss what he wants you to do. Lawlessness leading to more lawlessness : Paul describes a principle ingrained in human nature. Lawlessness leads to more lawlessness. Righteousness leads to holiness — which is more righteousness.
This describes the dynamic power of our habits and how we move along in the direction we are pointed. Think of four trees in a row: the first at one year of growth, the second at five years, the third at ten years, and the last at 15 years. Which tree will be the most difficult to pull up out of the ground?
Obviously, the longer we are rooted in a behavior the harder it is to uproot it — a principle that works both for good and evil. When we were slaves of sin , we were free all right — free in regard to righteousness. Some freedom! What fruit did you have then : To walk in victory over sin we must think rightly about the fruit of sin.
But the end product of righteousness is everlasting life. When we are tempted, faith reminds us of the bitter fruit of sin when our feelings may forget that bitter fruit. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord : When you work for sin, your wages are death.
When we serve God we get no pay — but He freely gives us the best benefit package imaginable. What pains do men take to get to hell! Early and late they toil at sin; and would not Divine justice be in their debt , if it did not pay them their due wages?
Answering his question from Romans , Paul has made it clear: As believers, we have a change of ownership. The Christian must fight against even occasional sin because we need to work for and work under our new Master.
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By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. Clear Advanced Options. DBY Darby Translation. WEB Webster's Bible. RVR60 Reina-Valera VUL Latin Vulgate. He desired that an entrance abundant should be ministered unto them. The idea was of a Roman conqueror coming into his city, welcomed by singers and musicians who would join him in a glorious, happy procession into the city. Will you enter it, save so as by fire, or to receive a reward?
Will you come unrecognized and unknown, or be welcomed by scores and hundreds to whom you have been the means of blessing, and who will wait you? For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth.
For this reason : Peter just wrote about the promise of entrance into the everlasting kingdom of God 2 Peter Because coming to that kingdom is so important, it is helpful and necessary for Peter to remind you always of the basics of the Christian life. I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know : Even though his readers did know the truth, in light of what was at stake — their eternal destiny — it was worth it to go over these ideas again and again.
A sports team going for the championship will practice the same fundamentals over and over again. They do this, even though they know the techniques, because they want the victory. For this reason, Christians should never get tired hearing the basics of the Christian life.
We should rejoice every time Jesus Christ and His gospel and plan for our lives is preached. He would establish and strengthen us by reminding us of the basics of the Christian life. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you , knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.
I think it is right : Because of what is at stake, Peter knew it was right to remind people constantly, especially because he knew that the days of his earthly life were soon coming to an end. Shortly I must put off my tent : Peter considered his body no more than a tent. A tent is a temporary place to live. You save your real resources for a more permanent place to live. Our more permanent place to live is heaven, and we should invest more in heaven than in our tent — our physical body.
How did Peter know that shortly I must put off my tent? Perhaps it was because Peter was simply getting old. Perhaps it was because the flames of persecution were getting hotter around him.
Church history tells us that Peter did die a martyr, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed him John This shows that Peter believed that the prophetic words of Jesus were to be fulfilled literally. Jesus showed Peter that he would die a martyr, and he believed it — even if he might have wished it were only symbolic. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.
I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder : Peter put this reminder in a letter, so the people of God would have a constant reminder even after his departure. After my decease : Peter seemed aware of the significance of the passing of the apostles and the need to preserve the authoritative teaching of the apostles and prophets.
This, the written teaching of the apostles and their associates, is the foundation of the church Ephesians preserved by God for all generations. For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
We did not follow cunningly devised fables : Peter solemnly declared that the testimony of the apostles — testimony they endured torture and gave their lives for — was not based on clever fables or even half truths, but on eyewitness testimony; that they were eyewitnesses of His majesty. Fables translates the ancient Greek word mythos. Some people think the Gospel and the Biblical record are just ancient myths. They may admire their power as myths, but Peter rightly insisted that his message was no myth.
It was history, seen by eyewitnesses. We can reliably reconstruct historical events from the testimony of eyewitnesses , who must be checked for truthfulness. The apostles and writers of the New Testament have been checked for centuries and have been found truthful.
Eyewitnesses of His majesty : When did Peter eyewitness the majesty of Jesus? There were many occasions, but one probably stuck out in his mind: the transfiguration of Jesus, recorded in Matthew , Mark , and Luke At the transfiguration, Jesus was transformed in glory before the apostles, not merely changed in outward appearance.
The effect was extremely striking; Jesus became so bright in appearance that it was hard to look at Jesus. He shined like the sun Matthew One may say that this shining glory was not a new miracle, but a pause in an ongoing miracle.
The real miracle was that Jesus, most of the time, could keep from displaying His glory. This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased : At the transfiguration the Father spoke from heaven to declare His approval of and joy in God the Son. As Peter wrote this, we sense the words were still ringing in his ears because at the transfiguration he made the mistake of making Jesus equal with Moses and Elijah, who appeared along with Him.
Those words from heaven were important because Jesus had just told His disciples that He would have to be crucified and His followers would also have to take up their cross to follow Him Mark His disciples needed this word of assurance to keep their confidence in Jesus and needed to hear that Jesus was still well pleasing to the Father, even though He said He would be crucified. The words from heaven also clearly put Jesus above the Law and the Prophets. Jesus was not merely another or even a better lawgiver or prophet.
Jesus was and is the beloved Son. Essentially, the voice from heaven was a rebuke to Peter Mark Yet what was once a rebuke became a sweet memory. Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus because they represented those caught up to God Jude 9 and 2 Kings They represented the Law Moses and the Prophets Elijah.
Moses and Elijah also are connected with prophecy, having a strong connection to the witnesses of Revelation And we heard this voice which came from heaven : It was awesome for Peter and the disciples to see the transfigured, glorified Jesus. It was awesome for them to hear this voice Yet the experience itself did not transform their lives.
Only being born again by the Spirit of God did that, giving them boldness beyond measure. The transfiguration was awesome, but it was a passing experience until they were born again. Galatians The Purpose of Redemption W. Galatians Covenants Professor Crosskerry. Galatians Promise and Law R. Galatians Seed and Seeds Canon Liddon. Henry Burn, B. Galatians The Promises Spurstow. Denton, M. Galatians The Covenant in Christ J. Galatians The Everlasting Covenant C. Galatians The Everlasting Covenant W.
Galatians Law and Promise P. Gloag, D. Galatians Life Gift Dr. Galatians Salvation All of Grace E. Galatians The Inheritance of the Promises C. Galatians Christ Our Mediator T. Galatians Law J. Galatians The Function of the Law J. Galatians The Law W. Galatians The Nature of the Law J. Denham, M. Galatians The Object of the Law W. Galatians Direct Communication with God W. Evans, D. Galatians St. Paul's View of the Unity of God J. Barmby, B. Ferguson, LL.
Galatians The Mediation of Christ J. Galatians The Mediator R. Hamilton, D. Galatians Contrasts W. Watts, D. Galatians The Harmony of Revelation H. Melvill, B. Galatians The Importance of the Law T. Blarney, D. Galatians The Law Useful Dr. Jowett, M. Galatians Law and Gospel William Tyndale. Galatians Shut Up unto the Faith Dr.
Galatians The Great Prison J. Hare, M. Galatians The Reasonableness of Faith Dr. Galatians The Reasonableness of the Gospel H. Galatians Under Arrest C. Galatians Works a Hindrance to Salvation C. Galatians Before and After Faith R. Galatians Christ Our Schoolmaster J. Galatians Christ Supersedes the Law Luther. Galatians Life a School E. Ffoulkes, B. Galatians Pedagogic Character of the Law C.
Vincent, D. Galatians The Law a Schoolmaster C. Lloyd Engstrom, M. Galatians The Law a Schoolmaster F. Greenwood, D. Galatians The Law and the Gospel Lockhart. Galatians The Law is a Schoolmaster F. Robertson, M. Binney, D.
Galatians The Pedagogue Canon Liddon. Galatians The Schooling of the Law J. Owen, M. Galatians The Stern Pedagogue C. Galatians Jesus the Only Saviour C.
Galatians Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity W. Galatians Baptismal Privileges Luther. Galatians Baptismal Regeneration F. Galatians Putting on Christ Bishop Moberly. Galatians Believers One in Christ Dr. Galatians Christian Unity J. Galatians Grounds of Unity J. Galatians One in Christ Dean Vaughan. Galatians Oneness in Christ Archbishop Taft. Galatians The Oneness of Believers Trapp.
Beddome, M. Galatians Union with Christ and its Results J. Murphy, LL. Galatians Unity and Union J. Angell James. Galatians Unity in Diversity H. Reynolds, B. Galatians Unity not Necessarily Uniformity J. Galatians Abraham's Spiritual Seed J. Henderson, D. Galatians Christian Freedom W. Galatians Christian Liberty Canon Ince. Galatians Christian Liberty a Trust C.
Kenrick, M. Galatians Liberty not Lawlessness Newman Hall. Galatians Personal Liberty of the Christian H. Galatians Spiritual Freedom J. Vaughan, M. Galatians Spiritual Liberty C. Galatians Stand Fast C. Galatians Stand Fast J. Harding, M. Galatians Standing Fast in Liberty H. Galatians The Freedom of the Christian J. Galatians The Secret of Steadfastness W. Galatians Christianity not Uniformity Thomas Jones.
Galatians Circumcision Matthew Henry. Galatians The Law and Grace T. Manton, D. Galatians The Superfluousness of Circumcision H. Galatians Circumcision R. Finlayson Galatians Falling from Grace R. Galatians Falling Away Cawdray. Galatians Falling from Grace Foster. Irons, D. Galatians Faith and Morality Jeremy Taylor. Galatians The Hope of Righteousness W. Pusey, D. Galatians Faith and Love T.
Galatians Faith Working by Love C. Galatians Faith Working by Love T. Galatians Faith Working by Love J. Adeney Galatians Faith, a Power T. MacNeece, D. Galatians Faith's Evidences J. Galatians Prevailing Faith C. MeIvill, B. Galatians The Grandeur of Faith B. Palmer, D. Emmons, D. Galatians Uncircumcision Availeth Nothing A. Galatians A Difficult Race G.
Galatians A Sailor Remarks Cheever. Galatians Fickleness W. Galatians Gradual Back-Sliding H. Galatians Hindered W. Galatians Hindrances Rev. Rawnsley, M. Galatians Hindrances to Religious Life H. Galatians Obeying the Truth W. Nevins, D. Galatians Religious Decline H. Galatians Running W. Galatians Signs of Backsliding C.
Galatians Spasmodic Religion S. Galatians Spiritual Declension D. Galatians Spiritual Declension Insidious H. Galatians The Nature of Backsliding C. Galatians Various Hindrances C. Galatians Want of Perseverance T. Galatians This Persuasion W. Galatians A Little Leaven Kurtz. Galatians Danger of Little Sins T.
Galatians Infectious Nature of Evil Hedinger. Galatians Insidiousness of Little Sins H. Galatians Leaven W. Clifford, D. Winterbotham, B. Macmillan, LL. Galatians Bearing the Judgment Trench. Galatians Preach the Cross Bishop Ryle. Galatians The Offence of the Cross C. Galatians The Offence of the Cross Spencer. Galatians The Slandered Apostle W. Galatians Church Troublers W.
Galatians Reasons for Paul's Indignation T. Galatians Liberty Through Love S. Brooke, M. Johnson, M. Galatians The Joy of Liberty C. Galatians Liberty and not Licence W. Galatians The Fulfilling of the Law W. Galatians Evils of Strife Spencer. Galatians The Evil of Dissensions T. Fuller, D. Galatians Entire Consecration Necessary S. Galatians Flesh and Spirit Dean Stanley. Galatians How to Overcome Temptation T. Boyd Carpenter, M. Galatians The Divine Rule Bp.
Morgan, D. Galatians The Renewed Man H. Galatians The Spirit and the Flesh C. Kingsley, M. Galatians The Spiritual Walk T. Galatians The Spiritual Walk J. Galatians Twofold Nature of Man A. Galatians Value of Spirituality of Mind S. Adeney Galatians Walking in the Spirit J. Venn, M. Galatians Walking in the Spirit Bishop F. Galatians Walking in the Spirit Canon Tristram. Galatians Walking with God H. Edgar Galatians Conflict and Conquest H. Arnot, D.
Galatians Involuntary Transgression J. Newman, D. Galatians Self Versus Self J. Galatians Sins of Infirmity J. Galatians Spiritual Conflict J. Galatians The Believer's Struggle T. Galatians The Christian's Conflicts H. Mackennal, B. Landells, D. Galatians The Traitor Within C. Galatians The Two Selves W. Parkhurst, D. Galatians Christian Freedom Chas. Galatians Freedom Only for the Spiritual Chas.
Galatians The Guidance of the Spirit Chas. Galatians The Leading of the Spirit R. Evans, B. Galatians The Spirit's Leading H. Galatians Anger J. Beaumont, M. Galatians Drunkenness Bishop Beveridge. Galatians Drunkenness, Revellings Starke. Galatians Emulation Bishop Beveridge. Galatians Envyings Bishop Beveridge. Galatians Evil of Hatred Plutarch. Galatians Fornication Bishop Beveridge. Galatians Heresies H. Galatians Murders C. Galatians Seditions Bishop Beveridge. Galatians Strife Bishop Beveridge.
Hall, D. Galatians Uncleanness Bishop Beveridge. Galatians Variance Bishop Beveridge. Galatians Sin and Death T. Galatians Advantage of Meekness John Trapp. Galatians Armour of Peace C. Galatians Benefits of Joy C. Galatians Catechism of Religion H. Galatians Christian Peace Abp. Galatians Christians a Joyful People C. Washburn, D. Galatians Definition of Meekness W. Elliott, M. Galatians Definition of Temperance J. Galatians Description of Gentleness J.
Galatians Duty of Joy H. Galatians Faith W. Galatians Faith, a Fruit of the Spirit W. Murray, D. Galatians Fruit of the Spirit E. Galatians Gentleness J. Norton, D. Galatians Gentleness John Thornton. Galatians Gentleness W. Galatians Gentleness and Goodness J. Reeve, M. Galatians Gentleness, a Fruit of the Spirit W. Galatians Gentleness: its Strength George Eliot. McGee, J.
Thru the Bible Commentary, Vol. God so loved the world with a pitying love herein was the eleos , that He gave His only begotten Son herein the charis , that the world through Him might be saved compare Eph. It is true that the same persons are the subjects of both, being at once the guilty and the miserable; yet the righteousness of God, which it is quite necessary should be maintained as His love, demands that the guilt should be done away before the misery can be assuaged; only the forgiven can be blessed.
Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament. Moral decay is an acute national problem, and there is an urgent need to improve moral leadership among youth. It is the petering out of Christianity. Not only are the Bible stories going by the board, but a deeper side of religion seems also to be exiting.
This is the mystic concept of the human soul and its survival after death. Parsons are still preaching away on this topic and congregations are still listening. But congregation and parson both seem to have moved from church to museum. Fifty years ago religion was an exuberant part of our world.
Its sermons, bazaars, tag days, taboos and exhortations filled the press. Its rituals brought a glow to our citizenry.
At their supper tables a large part of the voting population bowed its head and said grace. Religion today is a touchy subject, not because people believe deeply and are ready to defend such belief with emotion, but because they do not want to hear it discussed. They do not know quite what they feel and they do not know what to say about God, His angels and the record of His miracles. Not wanting to sound anti-Christian or antisocial or anti-anything not under general condemnation they settle for silence.
In this silence, more than in all the previous agnostic hullabaloos, religion seems swiftly disappearing. Protestantism—once famous for its diversity—is homogenizing into what is almost a new faith, and if it continues in its present direction, it will be stone-cold dead in a couple of dozen years. Among them are some of the wisest and most influential ministers we have—men such as Fosdick, Holmes and Sockman in New York for example.
This Covenant of Peace Group declares that war settles no issues, is futile and suicidal and is a denial of God and the teachings of Christ. This is noble doctrine.
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