Romans 6

At this point it may be good to take a deep breath and remember: we must interpret what Paul has to say in his book-length essay we know as Romans in accordance with Jesus' teaching. Baptists, of which I am one, have too long tended to interpret Jesus' teaching by Paul's letters. I suppose the reasoning goes that Paul is more western in his thinking and his thoughts are difficult to follow. It must be, then, that his contribution to the New Testament is more complete and meaningful or deep. However that is a false bit of reasoning. If Jesus is God come to earth, then he must be the criterion for interpreting all other scripture.

Accordingly, you may want to spend a few days in the study of one of the Gospels: Mark if you want something fast-moving, Luke if you appreciate scholarly thoroughness and all the parables and stories only he recorded, or John for his intuitive and loving grasp of who Jesus is.

Returning to Paul, what he has to say in what we call chapter 6 can be summarized in verse 11: "So you must also consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (NRSV). The entire chapter says the same thing over and over: under the law we slaves to sin, but the eternal redemptive purpose of God means that under his grace we are slaves of a new master. Being a slave to sin brings condemnation, but being a slave of God brings acquittal and life.

Jesus said it clearer: "If anyone wishes to be my disciple, deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow me." Once we give ourselves to God we must live a life of obedience. It is all well and good to stress that God's salvation is once for all, but we have too long failed to take seriously Jesus' call to discipleship. Paul says "Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!" (v. 15 NRSV). We are all the same before God. Disobedience brings death but God came in person to buy us back, metaphorically speaking, but a metaphor causing Jesus' execution and resurrection. The law cannot save anyone. God saves us by his grace and we respond in trust that leads us to do what God commands, to live "in newness of life," to love God and live an ethical life of faithfulness by loving our fellow creatures.

To say it another way: Paul says no, you cannot live as you please because you are under grace, and no, continuing to live under the Torah and Talmud will not do either. The Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit in us means to transform us and make us fit for the Eternal Kingdom. Because Christ is risen, he leads the way.