Dead to sin

Rom 6:10-14

10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

• How might our ignorance of monarchies and their methods hamper our understanding of words like reign, present, master, and obey?
  
• Why should you not let sin reign in your mortal body?
  
• What is involved with obeying something or someone?
  
• What lusts do you find it easy to obey?
  
• How does a lust tell you what to do?
  
• To what sins do you present your physical self?
  
• How do you do you present your physical self to these sins?
  
• How do you present yourself to God?
  
• How does grace change your behavior?

Grace, not sin

Rom 5:20-6:4

5:20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 6:1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

• Why is sin so tempting even when you know the results in this life and beyond?
  
• What would happen to you if you tried to be subject to two very different earthly kings? Why?
  
• Why would you ever say "sin so grace can be larger"? What would the opposite statement be?
  
• What does it mean to you personally to die to sin?
  
• How did your decision to be baptized your decision to change?
  
• How can you have a "new life" unless you die to your "old life"?
  
• What changes in your life were prompted by your decision to be baptized?

Transgression and Grace

Rom 5:17-21

17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. 18 Therefore, as one trespass [1] led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness [2] leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Footnotes
[1] 5:18 Or the trespass of one
[2] 5:18 Or the act of righteousness of one

• What does the word "reign" mean?
  
• How did death reign? Who were its subjects? What was the result?
  
• What is the grace that is given abundantly?
  
• What is the gift of righteousness that is given abundantly?
  
• How does grace reign?
  
• Whose act of righteousness provided the means for grace to reign?
  
• What is the result of grace's reign?
  
• How does knowing this impact you?

Sin and Death

Rom 5:12-16

12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification.

• What was the long standing result of sin?
  
• How did the Law change mankind's approach to sin?
  
• How did the Law change the result of sin?
  
• What were the consequences of Adam's sin?
  
• What were the consequences of Jesus' death and sacrifice?
  
• Why is justification so important?

Harold's Musings
I know a lot of people use this passage to prove that there is original sin. I have a very difficult time with the concept of original sin. I know from Genesis 3 that what man did was learn the difference from good and evil thereby forcing mankind to choose to do good versus evil. Since Jesus was the only person to make all the right choices all the time, we all sin by our choice not from some taint that comes from Adam. We are tempted by our desires and choose to obtain what we desire through avenues that God does not allow. Make the right choices out there today, not excuses.

Undeserved help

Rom 5:6-11

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person— though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

• Who in your life would you be totally willing to die for? Why?
  
• Who in your life would you be totally unwilling to die for? Why?
  
• How are helplessness and hopelessness similar and dissimilar?
  
• From this passage, what were we before Christ's sacrifice?
  
• What feelings do you have when you are told that:
  = you are helpless
  = you are a sinner
  = you are God's enemy
  
• How frequently do you feel helpless before God? Why or why not?
  
• How frequently do you feel that your relationship with God is strained? What causes these times?
  
• How does believing this passage to be true change your life?

Justified by what?

Rom 4:1-8

4:1 What then shall we say was gained by [1] Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in [2] him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

Footnotes
[1] 4:1 Some manuscripts say about
[2] 4:5 Or but trusts; compare verse 24

• What does it mean to be justified?
  
• What is justification by works?
  
• What is involved in believing God? How is this different from believing in God?
  
• Which do you feel more grateful for: your regular paycheck or an unexpected gift of something you really need?
  
• If God were grading you on your works, what do you think your grade would be?
  
• As a believer in Christ, what is your real grade?

All fall short

Rom 3:19-26

19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being [1] will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Footnotes

[1] 3:20 Greek flesh

• When have you done something and later found out it was wrong? How did you feel?
  
• What was the purpose of the Law of Moses?
  
• What problem did the Law of Moses leave us with?
  
• Who could be considered righteous under the Law of Moses?
  
• How can a person be righteous now?
  
• What is involved in having faith in Jesus Christ?

Judgment is coming

Rom 2:5-11

5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking [1] and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality.

Footnotes
[1] 2:8 Or contentious

• What is the outcome of those who obey the truth?
  
• What is the outcome of those who do not obey the truth?
  
• What attitudes result in punishment?
  
• What do stubbornness, unrepentant heart, and selfish ambition have in common?
  
• What will be the basis of God's judgment?
  
• Why is repentance so important in facing God's judgment?
  

Given over (Rom 1:24-32)

Rom 1:24-32

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

• What are the consequences of not acknowledging God and serving the creature instead of the Creator?
  
• To what three things does God give over people who reject him?
  
• Which of your problem areas are included in the list?
  
• How close are you to God when you find yourself struggling with your problem areas?
  
• Why would God give someone over to something that would result in sin?
  
• Which is worse: rejecting God or a sinful action? Why?
  
• Why is tolerance of sin not acceptable to God?
  
• What does tolerance of sin reflect?

Exchanging Gods

Rom 1:18-25

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

• How is the truth suppressed by unrighteousness?
  
• Which comes first: not believing the truth or unrighteous actions?
  
• What parts of creation show God to you most clearly?
  
• In what ways are verses 21-22 true in today's culture?
  
• What is God exchanged for today?
  
• How do people worship and serve the creature instead of the Creator?
  
• Why would God give people over to their lusts?
  
• Why is it sometimes easy to exchange God's truth for Satan's lie?
  
• What personal challenge does this passage confront you with?

Old for New

Col 3:9-11

9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self [1] with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, [2] free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Footnotes
[1] 3:9 Greek man; also as supplied in verse 10
[2] 3:11 Greek bondservant

• Whose responsibility is it to get rid of sinful behavior and habits?
  
• Why would you want to pick up the old self you have previously laid aside?
  
• What is your new self beginning to look like?
  
• If everyone in Christ is the image of Christ, how can you distinguish backgrounds, race, etc.?
  
• If everyone in Christ is the image of Christ, why would there ever be divisions and strife in the body?
  
• Would the image of Christ do the things Paul has previously listed, such as greed, anger, and lying?
  
• How does focusing on being the image of Christ help you in your renewal?

Harold's Musings:
It is more rewarding to look towards achieving something than it is to look at the costs that you will have paid to do it. College students look toward graduation and work to achieve the goal. What if they focused on the number of hours of study, the number of boring classes attended, the number of pages read, the number of exams taken, and the amount of money spent? I think they may quit while they are ahead. We have been convinced that as Christians we have to focus on the "do and don't" and not on the goal. We wave the flag of "count the costs" instead of the flag of "becoming the image of Christ". Like the student who attends, reads, studies, and spends, the Christian seeking to look like Christ will "do and don't". will give up things, and will do whatever it takes to be like Christ. Be Christ on earth today!

Cleaning List

Col 3:3-8

3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your [1] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: [2] sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. [3] 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Footnotes
[1] 3:4 Some manuscripts our
[2] 3:5 Greek therefore your members that are on the earth
[3] 3:6 Some manuscripts add upon the sons of disobedience

• Why does your life in Christ mean changes in how you live?
  
• What are some logical results of "dying"?
  
• What things in your life do you need to consider your body dead to?
  
• Why are anger and other person-to-person sins listed along with immorality and idolatry?
  
• How is living for self and its desires seen in daily life?
  
• How is dying to self and its desires seen in daily life?
  
• Which of the listed sins would Jesus do?

The dead have no rules

Col 2:20-23

20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

• What is the difference between God's rules and man's rules?
  
• How can you determine the source of the rules you live by?
  
• When is a rule-based life beneficial to a Christian?
  
• How has dying to the elemental spirits of the world changed your life?
  
• What man-made rules for living drive your life?
  
• Are man-made rules a source of freedom or bondage?

Harold's Musings:
Rules and regulations imply control, yet they are impotent by themselves. Throughout history, countless rules have been made and I suspect every one of them have been broken more than once. Even the best of rules seem to have exceptions, conditional variations. Ultimately rules are guidelines for those who want something. If you want to win a contest, you must at least follow the rules. In recent years, rules and even laws seem to be perceived as optional; the exception is the norm. Rules do not control. They merely appear to control. When you died to Christ, you died to the elemental spirits of the world. It means you should not even want then things that the rules were created to prevent. What rules your life: Christ, rules, or you?

Reconciliation

Col. 1:18-23

18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation [1] under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Footnotes
[1] 1:23 Or to every creature

• How do you feel realizing that the one who is over everything died for you?
  
• What does the word reconcile mean to you? What must be present for reconciliation to be needed?
  
• When did you realize you were an enemy of God?
  
• Why would Jesus die for His enemies?
  
• What conditions are stated here for remaining reconciled to God?
  
• How important is hope in this passage?

Rescued

Col 1:12-14

12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

• What images come to mind when you compare the domain of darkness to the kingdom of Jesus?
  
• What were you delivered or rescued from?
  
• How were you a captive in the domain of darkness?
  
• How has your transfer into Jesus' kingdom changed your life?
  
• Where must we be in order to have forgiveness of sins?
  
• If you have been rescued from the domain of darkness, why do you sometimes slip back into captivity?
  
• What should be your response to realizing you have been rescued?

Harold's Musings
When I read this passage images from The Lord of the Rings come to mind. The contrast between a kingdom of light and a domain of darkness was vividly shown in the movie. In today's imagery, I see a SEAL team sneaking into an enemy camp to rescue a captured soldier and the group being airlifted out to safety. Why do we not see the domain of darkness as we walk through life? Why do we sometimes give ourselves over to go back into the enemy's camp?

Suffer for right reasons

1 Pe 4:15-19

15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And

“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” [1]

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Footnotes
[1] 4:18 Greek where will the ungodly and sinner appear?

• Why might a person suffer because of unrighteousness?
  
• How should a Christian respond to suffering that results from sin?
  
• What shame is associated with suffering because of a sin?
  
• Why does Peter specifically mention not being ashamed for suffering for Christ?
  
• What should result from the Christian's suffering?
  
• What judgement is waiting for everyone?
  
• What does Peter mean by "obey the gospel of God"?
  
• Is obeying the gospel a one-time thing or not?
  
• Why does Peter state that is difficult for the righteous to be saved?
  
• Why does Peter jump from judgement to suffering for Christ?
  
• How does what you put your trust in affect your response to suffering?
  

Submission to bad bosses

1 Pe 2:18-21

18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

• How were free-in-Christ servant/slaves supposed to deal with their masters?
  
• What is different about submission with respect?
  
• How did the master's behavior change things?
  
• How do you treat your employer?
  
• How submissive are you?
  
• How submissive are the following:
  - active aggressive responses
  - passive aggressive responses
  
• How respectful is the submission you give your employer?
  
• What was the purpose for this submission?
  
• How does your conscience towards God change your work life?
  
• Why would God seem to be unconcerned about your suffering at work?
  
• Why are your to bear up under unjust suffering?
  
• When might you suffer unjustly at work?
  
• When have you been "slammed" after you did the right thing?
  
• How well do you patiently endure unjust suffering?
  
• What is essential to this type of endurance?
  
• What sort of daily suffering do you endure just because you are a Christian trying to do right?
  
• What temptations do you have to suffer through and not give in to?
  
• What activities must you avoid that your friends enjoy?
  
• What ridicule must you endure for not being like the crowd?

The Value of Wisdom

Eccles. 9:13-18

13 I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. 14 There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. 15 But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. 16 But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heard. 17 The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

• Why is wisdom better than strength?
  
• What are the risks of strength without wisdom?
  
• When have you seen wisdom win over physical strength or intimidation?
  
• Why are the poor forgotten by the rulers and the wealthy?
  
• Why would the wisdom of a poor man be despised?
  
• Why would the wisdom of a poor man be ignored?
  
• What misconceptions about the poor would rulers and wealthy people have?
  
• Why is quiet wisdom better than loud foolishness?
  
• How is anger, intimidation, and bullying usually displayed?
  
• How is wisdom usually displayed?
  
• Why is the impact of one sinner contrasted with the value of wisdom?
  
• Why is sin even included in this context?
  
• What was the impact on Israel of David's sin with Bathsheba?
  
• What was the impact on Israel of David's sin of taking a census (2 Sam 24)?
  
• How would people consider you: wise or foolish?

Lousy Results

Eccles. 7:27-29

27 Behold, this is what I found, says the Preacher, while adding one thing to another to find the scheme of things— 28 which my soul has sought repeatedly, but I have not found. One man among a thousand I found, but a woman among all these I have not found. 29 See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.

• What had Solomon been seeking?
• What had he been investigating?
  
• What was Solomon's discovery?
• How common is uprightness among mankind under the sun?
  
• Some authors have suggested that v. 28 uses a literary device to emphasize the inclusiveness of Solomon's discovery.
  - What do you think of his "results"?
  
• What is the source of mankind's unrighteousness?
  - How did God make mankind?
  
• The word schemes is also translated invention. Other translations use devices.
  - Why does mankind seek out unrighteous ways and means?
  
• When have you thought that mankind's behavior couldn't get any worse?
• Why is it hard sometimes to remember that God made all mankind to be upright?

Harold's Musings:
Solomon is continuing his search for wisdom mentioned yesterday. Remember he started the book looking at wisdom, pleasure, labor, fame, etc. and his early results are in. There is no clear scheme of things, no system to explain why things are the way they are. A good man is hard to come by. His experience with over a thousand women has been less successful. The really interesting point is in v. 29. God made man upright, but man invents his own schemes. God may have a plan that is truly wise, but mankind will follow its own path. Sounds terribly familiar, doesn't it? Even in areas where God has given us clear instruction, mankind says that those instructions are just suggestions. This passage is a precursor to Romans 3:9-23. Mankind is just unable to be righteous on its own. Praise God for His mercy in sending His Son.

Worse than death

Eccles. 7:23-26

23 All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me. 24 That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out? 25 I turned my heart to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness that is madness. 26 And I find something more bitter than death: the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is taken by her.

• Why is it harder to be wise than you want it to be?
  - Why is wisdom so hard to obtain?
  - What did Solomon do in his attempt to gain wisdom?
  
• Why is considering folly, foolishness, and unreasonable behavior necessary to gain wisdom?
  - Why is knowledge, i.e. facts and explanations, useful in gaining wisdom?
  - What is the difference between wisdom and great knowledge?
  
• How does the past serve as a storehouse for learning from past mistakes?
  - How well do you remember the motivations and internal drives that resulted in some foolishness of yours five years ago?
  
• What is more bitter than death?
  - What sort of woman is Solomon describing?
  - Why is this sort of woman so dangerous?
  
• In our more gender neutral society, could Solomon find a similar sort of man?
  - What sort of man might Solomon describe?
  - Why would this sort of man be so dangerous?

Harold's Musings:
I really do want to be wise. I want to know a lot of things, as well as how to use that knowledge effectively. I really want to know how things work. I truly understand how Solomon felt about it being far off and very deep. As soon as I learn one thing and move to another, things change with the first thing. Yet another wind to chase. On a different thread, I realize Solomon picked out a woman as the thing more bitter than death. With as many women as he had in his life, I suspect he had some experience here. I cannot help but believe in our time evil hearted, entrapping men are to be avoided as well. Ladies, what do you think? Have you seen such men in your lives?