SOAP 12/01/2014; Romans 6:12-14

Today's reading: Romans 5, 6, 7, 8

S) " ¹¹ Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.


¹² Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, ¹³ and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. ¹⁴ For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace."

Romans 6:11-14 (NASB)

O) In verses 1-10, Paul establishes in greater detail, the concept that we are dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus, as His disciples. Taking that simple, yet powerful, concept to heart (v.11), we see the next three verses unfold to greater effect. Paul is establishing the practical side of walking in victory over sin. The truth is simple, and the instruction is direct. Keeping this passage as a focus (particularly v.11), is the key to walking in this truth.

A) Knowing a rule only takes a person so far. Understanding why a rule is, will carry much further. Some time ago, I committed vv.12-14 to memory, but not v.11. Consequently, I don't think the verses were affecting me the way they could have. When I was memorizing, I was breaking down the passage into sections, memorizing larger and larger chunks of it. As I was doing it, I was repeating sections a lot, which made a good impression. While reading today though, at every comma, semicolon, and period, I was pausing for a second to re-read v.11 as I was reading through the paragraph. It was a powerful exercise, for sure.
To be clear, I AM NOT SUGGESTING SOME KIND OF RE-WRITE TO HOLY SCRIPTURE.
This is an exercise in meditation and memorization, to remember verses more completely. It would read something like this,
"¹¹ Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. ¹² Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts. Consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus, ¹³ and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; Consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus, [and] present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead. Consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus, and [present] your members as instruments of righteousness to God. Consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus, ¹⁴ For sin shall not be master over you. Consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus, for you are not under law but under grace."

P) Father, the victory I have been given in Christ Jesus is powerful, indeed. I do not want to neglect how I am even able to obey, as I try to white-knuckle my way through temptations. I want to remember the amazing grace I have through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ; that grace gives me the ability to walk in obedience to these other verses. Help me to remember this passage entirely, and make it quite real to me, by the Holy Spirit. Let this passage, including verse 11, be planted firmly in my heart, and bring it to mind for me often. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.