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?

Dead and resurrected

Rom 6:4-11

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. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self [1] was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free [2] from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 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.

Footnotes
[1] 6:6 Greek man
[2] 6:7 Greek has been justified

• How was your baptism like death and resurrection for you?
  
• Was your baptism mostly a theological, ceremonial, or life-changing event?
  
• What were the results of your old self being crucified with Jesus?
  
• What sins were you a slave to before baptizm?
  
• What sins are trying to maintain a hold on you?
  
• How is living to God seen in you?
  
• What does it mean to be alive to God in Christ Jesus?

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.

Building character

Rom 5:1-5

5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we [1] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith [2] into this grace in which we stand, and we [3] rejoice [4] in hope of the glory of God. 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Footnotes
[1] 5:1 Some manuscripts let us
[2] 5:2 Some manuscripts omit by faith
[3] 5:2 Or let us; also verse 3
[4] 5:2 Or boast; also verses 3, 11

• How frequently do you rejoice because of your troubles?
  
• Which would you most commonly want: Christian growth or comfort?
  
• How do troubles and tribulations result in perseverance and endurance?
  
• How does perseverance and endurance in result in proven character?
  
• How does proven character result in hope?
  
• How often do your hopes disappoint?
  
• What is different about this hope?
  
• Why is hope at the beginning and the end of the list?
  
• What does it take to endure life?
  
• What do you have that non-Christians do not?

Justified by faith

Rom 4:23-5:2

23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we [1] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith [2] into this grace in which we stand, and we [3] rejoice [4] in hope of the glory of God.

Footnotes
[1] 5:1 Some manuscripts let us
[2] 5:2 Some manuscripts omit by faith
[3] 5:2 Or let us; also verse 3
[4] 5:2 Or boast; also verses 3, 11

• Why was Jesus delivered up?
  
• Why was Jesus raised?
  
• How does our justification symbolized by Jesus' resurrection?
  
• What was the result of your justification by faith? How important is this to you?
  
• How and through whom where you introduced into grace?
  
• How frequently do you hope in the glory of God? What does this mean to you?
  
• How does your hope in God's glory relate to the faith by which you are justified?

Faith and Law

Rom 4:13-22

13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. 16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring —not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be." 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. 20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness."

• Why does it seem that justification by faith has no requirements?
  
• Is justification by faith based on a single event or an entire life?
  
• How does hope play a role in a life of faith?
  
• What was the result of Abraham's faith?
  
• Did Abraham and Sarah have Issac without any action of their own?
  
• What was reckoned to Abraham as righteousness: his "knowing" that there would be a child or his "acting out his faith"?
  
• What things do you believe that you do not act on in faith?

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?

Boasting and Faith

Rom 3:27-31

27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

• Which is more appealing to you: works-oriented Christianity or faith-oriented Christianity? Why?
  
• What are the "risks" of a works-orientation?
  
• To whom might you boast about your good works?
  
• Who have you "judged" in the last year because their works do not match your own?
  
• How do you measure someone's faith? Is your observation of their works an accurate measure?
  
• Who is real judge? What measure does He use?

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?

Having the law

Rom 2:11-16

11 For God shows no partiality. 12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

• Why is it important for you to know that God is not partial?
  
• What law is Paul talking about here?
  
• Who is justified before God?
  
• What was the difference between the Jew and Gentile stated here?
  
• How far can you extend the "I just knew in my heart it was the right thing to do" approach to life?
  
• What criteria do you use to determine what your thoughts and behavior will be?
  
• What criteria will God use to judge your thoughts and behavior?

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?
  

And you did it too!

Rom 1:32-2:4

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. 2:1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

• What is the difference between "giving approval" and "passing judgment"?
  
• What is meant by passing judgment?
  
• What is the problem with mankind passing judgment on mankind?
  
• How should you respond to the fact that God judges people who practice sin?
  
• What is the "range of sins" listed in v. 28-32?
  
• How would you rank the sins in the list from worst to less worse?
  
• How does God rank the sins in the list?
  
• What is the reason for God's kindness?
  
• In what way has God's kindness led you to repent in the past?
  
• What sins do you need to repent of now?

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?

Mind set

Col 3:1-4

3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 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.

Footnotes
[1] 3:4 Some manuscripts our

• What are the things above that you should be seeking?
  
• Why should you seek the things above?
  
• How is setting your mind on things above more effective than a list of rules?
  
• Which has a higher percentage of your mind: things above or things on earth?
  
• How does your being dead to flesh and your life being hidden in Christ change your daily walk?
  
• What is the result of your fleshly nature being resuscitated?
  
• Which seems more preferable: glory now or glory with Christ when he comes?

Harold's Musings:
Oh that I could be consistent in regard to these verses! The world assaults these attitudes almost every minute of the day. How can I set my mind on things above when my stomach wants the food below? How can I simultaneously seek the things above and seek to do an excellent job at work below? (And yes I do know that in a few days we will look at doing a good job on earth.) The challenge I see in these verses is the all-consuming nature of being in Christ. If I have been raised with Christ, then what does the world really offer me? If I am dead, then what does the world offer a dead man? Perhaps I have had CPR and I'm hanging on by a thread. Perhaps Christ is competing with me to be my life. Think I need to go read Romans 7-8 again.

Keep your prize

Col 2:16-19

16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, [1] puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

Footnotes
[1] 2:18 Or about the things he has seen

• What are some things today that are mere shadows of what is to come?
  
• What is the prize in this passage?
  
• Where did the self-abasement, angel worship, and personal visions come from?
  
• Why is it so important for you to hold on to Christ, the head of the body?
  
• How does the body grow?

Death and Debt

Col 2:12-15

12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities [1] and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. [2]

Footnotes
[1] 2:15 Probably demonic rulers and authorities
[2] 2:15 Or in it (that is, the cross)

• How were you dead?
  
• How were you made alive?
  
• What was necessary to be made alive?
  
• Why was the law of Moses hostile to man?
  
• What was the certificate of debt that Christ took away?
  
• What did you owe God before you were baptized into Christ?
  
• How did Jesus' death disarm the spiritual rulers and authorities?
  
• What weapons did Christ take away from Satan?

Fill ups

Col 2:9-12

9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

• What lives in Jesus body?
  
• According to this passage, what happens to you when you are in Christ?
  
• If Christ is the head over all rule and authorities and you are in Christ, what do you have to fear?
  
• What is the body of flesh that baptism removes?
  
• What is the significance of being buried with Christ in baptism?
  
• What is the significance of being raised with Christ?
  
• What is the means through which you were raised?

Harold's Musings:
The phrase "in Christ" and its variants, e.g. in Him, is frequently overlooked in passages. We recognize the "Christ" part but read over the "in" part. This passage tells us that the fullness of deity lives in Christ and then states that as Christians you and I are filled in Him. The various translations use phrases like "made full", "made complete", etc. It is interesting to muse over why the Holy Spirit put the fact that Christ was filled with Deity in Him and that we are filled in Him next to each other in the passage. If Christ is filled with Deity and we are in Christ, then we are at least sharing space with Deity. Perhaps this is related to our receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps this speaks to our being a temple. Perhaps it is about our being partakers of the devine nature. The bigger questions are "what does it mean to me" and "what will I do with it".

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?