God's Story Is Our Story: From Acts to New CreationSample

Perhaps, we are all too familiar with people who say that they are a Christian but have no interest in stopping sin. Producing more and more seeming religious hypocrites is the fear of many when the understand Paul's message of radical grace. Paul's whole point has been that we are made right with God not by doing good things, but by grace through faith. So, why strive to change? Why not believe and keep sinning with no intention to change?

Paul, realizes that this might be a question that many are asking so he asks it himself: "Are we to continue to sin that grace may abound?" His answer is: certainly not!

When we put our faith in Jesus, it is not to just save us from the guilt of sin or the penalty but also to save us from the power of sin. Paul tells us that when we believe we are changed. We are not the same people. We are no longer slaves to sin in the same way. Because when we trust in Christ, we are spiritually united to him. His righteousness, his life, his power begin to work in us.

Paul does not mean that Christians will never sin again. Chapter seven helps us understand there is an ongoing war with sin. Even though there is still a war raging with sin, we have a new power against sin, a new identity, and a new assurance. Paul's question to the one saying they are a Christian but have no interest in stopping their sin is: have you truly been united to Christ?