Some time ago I saw a sculpture in a store front. It was a fitting description of slavery. It strikingly depicted a man who was chained about his waist. This abject-looking character bore all the elements of enslavement. The artist captured a wretched, tired-looking creature showing deep pain, yet he had a seemingly resigned look of acceptance of his situation. There was one additional feature that nearly escaped my eyes. One link of the chain was opened which suggested that all he needed to do was to undo it and he would be a free man.
Servants of Sin
Human beings are generally like the portrayal above, enslaved by sin, taken captive, chained to habits, chained to the deeds of the flesh, with no natural way of escape—a miserable life of bondage—servants, resigned, working for sure wages—death. When one looks around he sees men, women and young people, consumed in sinful practices, bearing all the elements and characteristics of the human, fleshly nature. The gall of sin which knows no bounds compels them, thus adding sin to sin while the link of the life gate is open for sure escape—freedom.
No less slaves are many, many professed, baptized, communion-taking church members, who still have an alliance with the sin-master, who encourage the “little foxes” in their lives to go under the fence of conscience freely—individuals who palliate with sin while holding up the “grace card”—yet fettered. More still are ones, filled with spiritual pride, knowing not that they are wretched, naked, poor and blind.
Unfortunately through the annals of time it impacts on the church as it is only as strong as its weakest link. “Like ancient Israel,” says the Spirit of Prophecy, “Her members have violated their covenant to live for God and Him only. They have joined with the selfish and world-loving. Pride, the love of pleasure, and sin has been cherished, and CHRIST HAS DEPARTED. His Spirit has been quenched in the church.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 441–442
The sum reality is that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” In short, sin abounds. Since sin, however, should not have dominion over God’s professed people, it is imperative that His people come out of darkness into His marvellous light as the real culprit is exposed; so where sin abounds grace will much more abound. This article now seeks to focus on those who have named the name of Christ, those who are seeking to flee the cold grasp of the law of sin and death.
The Sin Master
Who is really behind it all? According to the Spirit of Prophecy, “Satan works side by side with professed Christians; yet they are so destitute of spiritual discernment that they do not detect Him.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 442
“Satan sees the Lord’s servants burdened because of spiritual darkness that enshrouds the people. He hears their earnest prayers for divine grace and power to break the spell of indifference, carelessness, and indolence. Then with renewed zeal he plies his arts. He tempts men to the indulgence of appetite or to some other form of self-gratification, and thus benumbs their sensibilities so that they fail to hear the very things which they most need to learn.” –The Great Controversy, p. 456
A Controlling Power
This said, the sin-master governs under what is called “the law of sin and death”—a cunning device that he uses. This seems to be the case in every dispensation and it is therefore no different in the church today. By so doing many do not acknowledge that they have left the Saviour behind; many do not confess that they are living powerless lives and do not believe that they can, through the help of Christ, live lives that allow them to escape from the corruption in the world through lust, and become partakes of the divine nature. Most disturbing, many are comfortable in their situation, lukewarm—held with the cords of sin.
Coming to ourselves
Individuals must therefore come to themselves. Appreciate that there is another power operating in the life as discovered by Paul when he uttered these far reaching sentiments: “For that which I do I allow not, for what4/ I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not; I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. . . But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” Romans 7:15–21, 23
A question of importance
Is there a clear cut way to get away from this slave-master that has such controlling sway? Many say, “I want to obey God’s holy law; many in their hearts express Paul’s sentiments. So is there a way?
Dear reader, If you have acknowledged that you truly are seeking deliverance, and in utter desperation and like Paul, cry out, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from this body of this death?” (Roman 7:24), there is, praise God there is, where sin abounds grace much more abounds. If we trace Paul’s life, we see that he was no different in his lifestyle, and only when he found the secret of overcoming he could say words like, “I have fought the good fight. . . and there is laid up for me.”
The first step is remorse, essentially sorrow: “Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations,” saith the Lord God. Ezekiel 36:31. These stirring words in the book Steps to Christ come to life, “As your conscience has been quickened by the Holy Spirit, you have seen something of the evil of sin, of its power, its guilt, its woe; and you look upon it with abhorrence. You feel that sin has separated you from God, that you are in bondage to the power of evil. The more you struggle to escape, the more you realize your helplessness. Your motives are impure; your heart is unclean. You see that your life has been filled with selfishness and sin. You long to be forgiven, to be cleansed, to be set free. Harmony with God, likeness to Him,—what can you do to obtain it?” –Steps to Christ, p. 49
Oh dear one, then you are ready, like the Prodigal Son, to seek deliverance. With this reality there is one way and one way only out of this bondage, and that provision can be found through the great power of the gospel. When diligently entered, it “takes one out of bondage into His marvelous light.” It is for this reason that Paul says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation.” Romans 1:16. Truly, it promises victorious deliverance, liberty, and if carefully followed, you could be a free man, a free woman, boy or girl even today. More than that, through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world through lust (2 Peter 1:4).
With this great objective let us go to the word of God. Line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little (Isaiah 28:10). Like the paralytic, you must believe it. When this revelation is understood, do not wait to feel whole, but by faith believe that you have been liberated. The Psalmist declared: “What is man, that Thou are mindful of him? and the son of man that Thou visitest him?” Psalm 8:4. Truly, when we consider, when we contemplate the merciful kindness of God in not leaving us in bondage under the subtle craftiness of the enemy of our souls, how He made provision from the first sin to rescue us, it should humble us. It should cause us to respond to His leading, His drawing, His ultimate escape route.
The Key
Set in the book of Romans is a particularly marvellous, calculated escape route that is largely missed. It is the key that will unlock the chain and will open a clear pathway to all who will receive it. If deeply understood and carefully followed with all the heart we will find the Liberator, where freedom is wont to be had. Turn with me to Romans 6:1–12:
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him. For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. Likewise, reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.”
A Remarkable Strategy
God has revealed this sure strategy, this practical method to Paul. What is the strategy? That the only way out of this situation is that the current nature—the old man of sin—must die and a new man, a man born from above—a new creature—is risen to serve the living God in true obedience; now prompted by the influence and the power of the HHHoly Spirit, as He convicts us of sin through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
When one continues to read Paul’s account (Romans 7:1–3) they will see that the strategy went even further than that; the mechanism that the law of sin and death uses is strengthened. The legal written code of the law is also dealt with in that process and renders it no longer able to be used as a conveyor to strengthen sin’s hold. To bring it home, therefore, Paul used an illustration namely: “Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.” Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. . . For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.” Romans 7:1–8, 11. It is necessary that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit, “because the carnal mind is enmity against God: it is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be.” Romans 8:7
Renouncing sin from the life is not a human possibility. It is a power outside of us. God in His mercy has inspired men like Paul to open to view His master plan to bring back man to Himself. This is a death and life situation. This strategy as it were, this light that has been swept under the carpet, cannot stay there and begs to be brought back on the table of present truth. This is indeed a step in the direction that opens the door that leads to righteousness by faith. This wonderful, inspired strategy goes beyond church membership, beyond human devising, one that promises to bring us out of bondage—“out of darkness into His marvellous light through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Read it again! This is the answer! Baptism and Resurrection! “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” Romans 11:33. Let us examine it.
A Synopsis
To go back to our point, Paul used baptism by immersion as a grave that buries the old nature and when he rises, he rises as a new creature, having the spirituality of the law established in him. He further uses Christ as a pattern that just as He died and was resurrected, we too can walk in newness of life through the Spirit. More than that, in this new life we are counted as having the righteousness of Christ. More than that, if believed by faith, we will have escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust and have become a partaker of the divine nature.
In this study we will analyze and seek truly to find out how all of this is possible as we take a detailed look at the verses under study and the methodical strategy.
Its Design
First, who is it designed for? Who was Paul addressing in his letter? It was not to the world; it was not to new converts who were thinking of joining, but in all reality it was applicable to God’s people, to those who were previously baptized, after having received and believed the truth. It was to the house of Israel who professed to believe present truth; unmistakably, it was to those who did not allow the sanctifying power of righteousness by faith to be felt in their lives, and were again palliating with sin, forming again a union with their previous master. This is applicable to God’s professed people today, yes, Modern Israel. His words: “How shall we, that are dead to sin live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?” Romans 6:2–3. In other words, how shall we that have gone under the watery grave of baptism continue to live as if we had not died?
Truly, he was lamenting the fact that professed Christians had once again entered into an association with the sin master and become slaves. Hearing of their moral declension, he opens with the question, “Do we continue in sin, that grace may abound?” His answer: “God forbid.” In other words, it was inconceivable! Paul’s argument is confirmed by the reality of his addressees; he was seeking to condemn sin in the flesh. aving been given the mystry of godlinessHH It is for the said reason that in Hebrew these words of exhortation and rebuke came, “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame.” Hebrews 6:1–6
Yearning to see men and women living victorious lives, he recaps what really was once delivered to the saints. His message therefore was not merely revival and reformation, but restoration full and complete in Jesus Christ. Indeed, as a reminder of their death and resurrection in Christ, knowing that its benefactors will be a power in the hand of God, he reiterates this truth as it is in Jesus. Similarly, God in His mercy continues in these last days, seeking to perfect a people so that His name can be glorified as He sets forth a people, who through His son Jesus Christ can truly “keep the commandment of God and have the faith of Jesus.”
While this may seem odd to be bringing this to ones who are already baptized, it does not seem to fit their expectation. Maybe they will be tempted to file it in the drawer of “been there, done that,” nevertheless it is a model that takes one on the “Lord, have mercy upon me a sinner” repentance road, which enters into the gate of liberty in Christ. We can be reinstated to our true position in Christ only in this way. In summary, when looking at the remarks of Paul he is actually speaking to a baptized people. Certainly he knew that it was to be profitable for advancing them in their spiritual lives, essentially to redeem the time as well. Today it is a true model when preparing a candidate for baptism, with its deep meaning and far reaching effect; with its motive over and above as it were, church membership.
With this said, let us analyze his wheel of truth. Opened to view are four main elements to successfully escape from the law of sin and death. Namely:
- Baptized into Jesus
“Know ye not that so many as were baptized into Jesus were baptized into His death?” Romans 6:3. The stage is set with a question. What does this mean? Having found the key, we need to unlock this powerful revelation. Let us first look from a twofold view. One, baptised into Jesus and two, baptized into His death.
Notice Paul could have just said: As many as were baptized, were baptized into His death. But he clearly included the word “into”. Baptizing into Jesus must therefore go beyond being immersed into the water, more than fulfilling a church membership criterion.
The word “into Jesus” speaks volumes. The core meaning according to the dictionary of “into” indicates that somebody or something moves inside somebody or something, either physically or figuratively as it were, a change from one entity to the next—a transformation. It is for this reason that Paul says, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:27. Another of the dictionary definitions is “cover something with clothing;” in effect, we can say we are now covered with the righteousness of Christ, as it were, hid in Christ. The sum of it is that at baptism your life of sin ended in the life of Christ. In actual fact the moment you entered the watery grave you became a part of the body of Christ. You assume all the experiences of Christ. In like manner you are now to prepare to suffer with Him. It is no wonder that we are told to take up our cross and follow Him, And as Paul points out, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18
This is very important to understand at this initial stage as it will form the foundation of the life and times of this new creature that has been raised, a life hid in Christ in all its facets, from death to resurrection to a walk of a purified life. Ephesians wraps it up nicely for us “For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones.” Ephesians 5:30
- Baptized into His death
Similarly, when he states: we must be “baptized into His death,” what does that mean? Romans 6:10 tells us: “for in that He died He died unto sin once” (that is, He died for our sins, as in Him was no sin). It follows that if we are also baptized into His death we also die to sin. As we follow his reasoning note the word “therefore” to mean consequently or for that reason—what reason? That as a result of being baptized into Jesus, having put on Jesus, you naturally go the next step, “baptized into His death,” that is, crucified with Him. This is what Paul means when he states “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. Galatians 2:20. Note that it contains the notion of self—“I”. Categorically then, at this moment in your experience, as when Christ went to the cross He took it upon Himself to die for the sins of the whole world, in like manner, when you and I die, we individually die unto sin once. How many have been baptized but have not been crucified with Christ? Only eternity will tell. While “by their fruits ye shall know them,” a warning has been given; “judge not lest ye be judged.” In heaven, there will be lots of surprises as many who one may think that will be there may not be and many who others think will be there will not. Indeed, we must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.
Let me pause to say the following: that the mode of baptism that Paul is referring to is by total immersion in water, and one must ensure that after thorough study, and a decision made by them, they are, or were fully immersed in water and not “sprinkled” as a form of baptism.
- Resurrection
Now that the redemptive truth of baptism into Jesus has been opened to us, and the pall of sin is being put to dust—buried into the watery grave—it follows that “we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection” (Romans 6:5), “knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him for in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God.” Romans 6:10. As says Paul, “If we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.” Romans 6:5. It is said that the same resurrection power that attended Christ is available to us. Now “there is opened to us a door of communication with heaven—a door that no human hand or satanic agency can close.” The Review and Herald, May 17, 1906. We have passed from death into life.
- Newness of Life
There is one additional aspect of this chapter under consideration that often escapes us and it is little spoken of: “that we shall also live with Him.” “For in that He died He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God.” Romans 6:10. Paul declares: “Likewise, reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:11
“Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.” Romans 6:8. Christ declared, “I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” John 11:25. In another place He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6. We are now called to tap into the vast reservoir of newness of life in Christ. We must believe that we are raised. Christ said He would be resurrected on the third day. The disciples gave evidence that they saw Him ascending into heaven. It is a fact; it happened. When we ascend from the water, we believe that we are raised to newness of life in Christ Jesus
Dear reader, this is the key. This is the answer to the sin problem. It takes place at baptism. Many did not comprehend this fully—its scope, its height, its depth, its all encompassing range. God be thanked—Christ crushed the slave-master’s head—truly He has set the captives free. Clothed now in the righteousness of Christ, woven in the looms of heaven, you become “partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:4. Peter says, “His divine power hath given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” 2 Peter 1:3. Amen.
End of part 1. Part 2 will be in the November 2012 issue.
Rose Powell