Romans: Theology for Everybody (6-11)Sýnishorn

One of the great myths is that human beings have free will. God alone has free will because He alone has a perfect nature that is perfectly free, and He alone has no limitations and can do whatever He wants. Our first parents, Adam and Eve, had free will insofar as they did not have a sin nature until their rebellion, although their choices were limited by God.

For the rest of us who inherit a sin nature, our will is not free. Erasmus released his book, “Freedom of the Will” in 1524 arguing that we are much like Adam and Eve before sin, with a free will. In response, Martin Luther released his book, “Bondage of the Will” in 1525 quoting many Scriptures from Romans regarding unbelievers such as:

1:18 – “suppress the truth”

1:21 – “futile in their thinking”

1:22 – “claiming to become wise, they became fools”

1:28 – “debased mind”

3:10-11 – “none is righteous, no not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God”

Luther’s big idea, echoing Paul in Romans, is that the Christian with a new nature and the Holy Spirit has a freer will, though not entirely free due to our sinful flesh. In this section of Romans, Paul teaches us five things about Christian freedom:

1) Freedom is not freedom to sin, but freedom from sin (Romans 6:15). Before Jesus, someone or something was our Lord, ruled over us, and demanded us to serve them like a slave. This can include such things as your job, an addiction, unhealthy relationships, expectations from others, pressure from your family, or an unhealthy longing for approval, comfort, success, money, beauty, etc. With Jesus as our new Lord, we are free from our old lord(s) to enjoy a new freedom under Jesus’ reign of grace.

2) Freedom is not doing what you want but doing what God wants (Romans 6:16-18). Rebellious sins are like the younger brother in the story of the prodigal son. Religious sins are like the older brother in the same story. In contrast, Christian freedom is to do what God wants in “righteousness” rather than continuing in “sin”. The big idea is that you do not need to obey God to be saved, but you do need to obey God to live free.

3) Freedom is not you choosing to go down, but God choosing to pull you up (Romans 6:19). In the ancient Roman empire, upwards of half of the citizens were in the category of servant or slave at some point in their life. This happened in two ways. One, it was imposed upon you, for example in war. Two, it was invited by you as you traded freedom for something you desired. The same is true of us. Some people and things that master us are imposed, but many of our worst addictions, decisions, and problems are invited by us. As sinners, we choose to go down closer to hell until Jesus our Savior and new Master chooses to pull us up toward Heaven.

4) Freedom is not falling back but running forward (Romans 6:20-22). Regarding slavery and freedom, there are two kinds of people. One, you can be a slave to someone or something and wrongly think you are free. This is the case for all non-Christians who are not free to stop sinning. Two, you can be free to someone or something and wrongly think you are a slave. This is the case for some Christians who do not walk in the Spirit-empowered freedom from sin available to them in Christ.

5) Freedom is not freedom from God, but freedom to God (Romans 6:23). Sin pays wages of punishment and death, but Jesus pays our wages for sin and gives us gifts of grace.

Reflection:

1. In what areas of your life have you already experienced freedom in Christ? Is there any area(s) of your life you need to exercise your freedom in Christ?

2. Re-read this section of Romans and make note of the reasons Jesus is the best person to be in authority over your life, even better than you ruling your own life.

3. When you think of freedom in Christ, who do you know that is a good example of this?