What has sin to do with grace?

What has sin to do with grace?

Section 1 has the question in verse 1 for its heading.

Section 2 has the question in verse 15 for its heading.

Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?

Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace?

These two questions sound very similar when you first hear them.

These two questions turn out to be very different.

Present vs aorist
RESULT vs CAUSE
different ANSWERS

Shall we persist in, remain steadfastly in the realm of, sin, …

… with the result that grace may abound?

Here in verse 1, grace is portrayed as the RESULT.

SIN -> GRACE

Sin sin sin sin sin POOF!
grace abounds!

The question is no longer sinning as a lifestyle (present), but rather the question of individual acts of sin (aorist tense).

Here in verse 15, grace is portrayed as the CAUSE.

GRACE → SIN

Grace Grace Grace POOF!
occasional acts of sin

GRACE is NEITHER the RESULT NOR the CAUSE of SIN!
Grace is the ANTITHESIS of sin!

Remain in sin?
Impossible!
You died to sin!

The answer is in our having died once and for all time to the reign of sin.

Sinning is harmless?
Wrong! That’s giving your body to the cruel master.

The answer lies in the daily call to put the members of our body at God’s disposal.

ROM 6:1-14 = strategic question.
ROM 6:15-23 = tactical question.
 

ROM 6:1-14 = overall direction.
ROM 6:15-23 = individual steps. 

Our relationship with Christ

Our daily living