The concept of sin is one of Paul’s widely discussed subjects in the New Testament. In delving into the effects of the death and resurrection of Christ, Paul elaborates the concepts of sin and righteousness using numerous allegories applicable in his day as well as today. In this paper, a review of the concept of sin, its effect and a case study application in the case of addiction is done, thereby seeking a clear interpretation of Paul’s teaching subject to the passage in Romans 6: 1-14.
Part 1
Paul draws a stark difference between sin and sins, as he explains the concept of righteousness and the effect of becoming one with Christ. In fact, Paul goes on to prescribe that the two are different phenomena, each with their own solutions (Smith, 2012). The mention of sin in its singular form is done in Romans 6:6, where our “body of sin” is annulled following a joint crucifixion with Christ. Interpreting it within this context, sin is thus seen as a state of being, rather than a series of wrongful actions. Sin, therefore, is interpreted as the innate nature within man that essentially comes short of God’s standards. This meaning is further accentuated by Paul’s other writings that differentiate sin from sins. In 1 Corinthians 15:3, Christ dying for our sins, implying that Christ died for the forgiveness of wrongful actions.
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Therefore, understanding this fact could open up the significance of continue, as used in Romans 6:1. Paul questions the Romans regarding a choice to remain in a fallen nature when Christ has already delivered them from this state of being. In this passage, Paul is not asking the Roman audience whether they will continue committing sinful acts. Rather, he is asking them whether they will keep embracing a state of being that is equal to being alien with Christ and his work on the cross. The impact of deliverance by the cross of Christ is the ability to deliver us from the sinful nature, whereas the blood of Jesus cleanses us from sinful acts. Paul, therefore, considers to ask the Romans whether they intend to maintain a sinful nature despite already being aware of the delivering power of the cross from their sinful nature.
This is further accentuated in Romans 6:2, when Paul discusses a form of death. By being delivered from a sinful nature, Paul likens it to death, where the sinful nature no longer has bearing on the actions of an individual. Paul notices that one who is dead to their sinful nature is no longer living in it; they are free to live in another way, delivered from this state of being. Thus, Paul likens it to the concept of baptism. Baptism involves immersion into the item in which the person is being immersed. Similarly, when one is in Christ, they are immersed in him and alongside him. Since Christ died to his sinful nature, everyone who comes to him follows suit and becomes dead to their sinful nature. This indicates that they are no longer under the control of their sinful nature, but begin to walk in the newness of life.
As a result, Paul begins to speak of an old man and a new man phenomenon. Within the one individual who comes to Christ, there is an old individual – the one who bore the sinful nature and by reason of this committed sinful acts. Nevertheless, another man exists – one who was delivered from his sinful nature by accepting Christ and now follows the model of Christ towards renewed living. Although the individual may not do the holy thing always, the individual is considered right in God’s eyes, since they have received a life similar to Christ’s. This is the new man phenomenon Paul speaks about. So Paul says that the new man is freed from sin – the state of being that causes a man not to be accepted by God. The new man is accepted despite his shortcomings, since he has received a new nature which is righteous.
Part 2
Applying this instance to the case study provided, a few notable issues can be discussed. First, it is critical to let the friend understand their new standing and perspective from God’s eyes as revealed by Paul. Although they struggle with sexual thoughts and perhaps sexual lust, it is critical that they understand that this is not a manifestation of their nature, but a lack of understanding regarding their position after becoming a believer.
First, one notices that sin here is not the thoughts of sexual lust. Rather, sin is the innate nature to believe that through one’s acts, the individual could gain access to God’s favor. Paul discusses and firmly indicates that grace is present to lead an individual out of sin. As a result, God is the initiator of the deliverance process. Moreover, God already initiated and completed this deliverance process through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Consequently, believing that through Christ’s death and crucifixion he is delivered, the friend could begin to find comfort in knowing that their lust is not their nature. By seeing that they have a new nature following Christ’s death, the individual could start a journey to understand that the blood of Jesus has forgiven their sinful acts and their consequences (guilt and shame), as well as understand the impact of the work of the cross.
When applied to the friend’s life, the impact could be seen in many aspects of their lives. When the friend understands that their sinful nature was replaced with a Christ-like nature, then the friend begins to understand that they are dead to sin. This means that they are no longer subject to the whims of their sinful nature. The fact that the friend notices the wrong that they have done in thinking lustfully already indicates that their new man is alert inside of them, showing them what is wrong and what is right. After all, Jeremiah indicates that God would write his laws inside of one’s heart. Thus, the fact that there is a knowledge of the wrongness of his lustful thoughts and actions is already a positive.
However, the friend must also know that while an individual is still within their physical body, they are still prone to the temptations of the flesh. Hebrews 4:15 indicates that Jesus was tempted in similar ways because of his presence within a mortal body. However, his blood cleanses us from every sin, as recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:3. The fact that the scripture uses cleanses – a word in its present continuous tense – indicates that the work of the blood of Jesus is ongoing. However, the work of the cross is referred to as “finished”, indicating that the deliverance from one’s sinful nature is already complete.
After contemplating these facts, therefore, it is only prudent to advise the friend that they cannot change their way of thinking through their own efforts. After all, we are the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ, as stated in Romans 5:17. Essentially, this means that we are accepted by God because our acceptance of Jesus resulted in the removal of the sinful state of being inside us, and we were infused with the nature of Jesus. In other words, we were baptized into his death and life. This means that despite the frequent sinful actions and thoughts, our cores are radically changed to reflect the life of Jesus. The result is that there is now no more condemnation for our wrongdoing because we are in Christ
References
Byrne, B. (1981). Living out the Righteousness of God: The Contribution of Rom 6: 1-8: 13 to an Understanding of Paul's Ethical Presuppositions. The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 43(4) , 557-581.
Smith, T. (2012). The Difference Between Sin and Sins—Two Problems with Two Solutions . Retrieved from Holding on to Truth in Love: http://holdingtotruth.com/2012/03/03/the-difference-between-sin-and-sins-two-problems-two-solutions/
