Read Romans 6:16. What point is Paul making? Why is his argument very black and white here? It is either one or the other, with no middle ground. What lesson should we draw from this very clear contrast? Paul comes back to the point again that the new life of faith does not grant liberty to … Continue reading –>
Read Romans 6:14. How are we to understand this text? Does it mean that the Ten Commandments are no longer binding on us? If not, why not? Romans 6:14 is one of the key statements in the book of Romans. And it’s one we often hear quoted in the context of someone telling us Adventists that the … Continue reading –>
What admonition is given to us in Romans 6:12? The word reign shows that “sin” is here represented as a king. The Greek word here translated as “reign” means literally “to be a king” or “to function as a king.” Sin is all too willing to assume the kingship of our mortal bodies and dictate our behavior. When Paul … Continue reading –>
In Romans 5:20, Paul makes a powerful statement: “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” His point is that no matter how much sin there is or how terrible the results of sin are, God’s grace is sufficient to deal with it. What hope that should bring for each of us, especially when we’re … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Romans 6; 1 John 1:8-2:1. Memory Text: “Sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14). If works can’t save us, why bother with them at all? Why not just keep on sinning? Chapter 6 is Paul’s answer to this important question. Paul here … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Help in Daily Living”, pp. 470-472, in The Ministry of Healing; “Christ the Center of the Message,” pp. 383, 384, in Selected Messages, book 1; “The Temptation and Fall”, pages 60-62, in Patriarchs and Prophets; “Justification,” pp. 712-714, in The SDA Encyclopedia. “Many are deceived concerning the condition of their hearts. They do not realize that the natural … Continue reading –>
“Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous” (Rom. 5:18-19). What … Continue reading –>
Read Romans 5:13-14. What is Paul teaching us here about the law? What is Paul talking about here? The phrase “until the law” is paralleled with the statement “from Adam to Moses.” He is talking about the time in the world from Creation to Sinai, before the formal introduction of the rules and laws of the Israelite system, … Continue reading –>
Death is an enemy, the ultimate one. When God created the human family, He designed that its members should live forever. With few exceptions humans do not want to die; and those who do, do so only after the greatest personal anguish and suffering. Death goes against our most basic nature. And that’s because from … Continue reading –>
Read Romans 5:6-8. What does this passage tell us about the character of God, and why is it so full of hope for us? When Adam and Eve shamefully and inexcusably transgressed the divine requirement, God took the first steps toward reconciliation. Ever since, God has taken the initiative in providing a way of salvation and … Continue reading –>
