I’m A Believer (Part One)

The Monkey’s had a hit song in 1966 with “I’m A Believer” and one line goes like this;

            “I'm a believer, not a trace of doubt in my mind”

Now that I have you humming this song let’s look at our study for the next five weeks.  We are looking at Freedom.  When I say freedom, I am talking about real freedom that comes from the right relationship with Jesus Christ. This week let’s explore the introduction for our series.

Romans 6:1-2 NASB What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?  (2)  May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?

In chapter 5 Paul explains that sin entered into the world through Adam’s fall.  He explains that many died as a result of sin that was charged to all.  He then goes on to say that through Christ’s death on the cross we now have eternal life.  We are freed from the bondage of sin through Grace.  Paul tells us that where sin increased Grace increased that much more.

It is here that we see out scripture for this week.  Paul asked the question in such a way that it sounds absurd to the reader.  He is basically saying it like this;

Since grace was offered because man has sinned and come short of the Glory of God, should we keep on transgressing God’s will so God can keep on showing us how gracious he is.

Nothing could be further from the truth.  Yes, we are saved by God’s Grace.  We also know that when we are saved we are a new creature and we are to live our lives free from any constraints that sin has on us.  Being free from the bondage of sin doesn’t mean we no longer sin.  It means we are not controlled by a life outside of the will of God.  Yes, we are humans and we will do things that miss the mark which God wants for us.  (By the way that is what sin means Hamartia).   

As believers we want to look at two Realities and two Necessities about the freedom we enjoy through Jesus Christ.

Next week we will look at the first Reality