Bible, Entrust, Heart, Obedience, Scripture, Sin, Slaves, Trustworthy

HANDED OVER

ROMANS 6:17

“But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were entrusted,”

Have you ever been given something by someone and asked to keep it safe? Perhaps it was a rare coin or piece of jewelry. It could even be a child that needs your temporary care. Some things are handed over to law enforcement due to a crime. Other things or people are handed over to cause them harm. We all know the horrible stories told concerning human trafficking.

Paul uses a Greek word that is translated “were entrusted” to show us just how close and personal this is in our lives. The word is paradídōmi. HELPS Word-studies defines it this way, “(from pará, ‘from close-beside and dídōmi, ‘give) – properly, to give (turn) over; ‘hand over from,’ i.e. to deliver over with a sense of close (personal) involvement.” Let’s take a closer look at how this word is used in the New Testament.

APPLICATION

In Matthew 18:24 this word is used by Jesus in His story about the slave who owed 10,000 talents. “And his master, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he would repay all that was owed him.” In this use of the word, being handed over was not a good thing. The torturers were given complete power over this wicked servant. Paradídōmi is also the word used to describe how Judas “betrayed” the Lord into the hands of the Jewish leaders.

The Topical Lexicon describes the use of paradídōmi this way. “Whether used of a traitor, a judge, an apostle, or God Himself, the word always carries the sober idea that what is ‘delivered up’ passes irrevocably into another’s control.” So, how is Paul using paradídōmi in today’s verse? He is telling us that we have been handed the teachings of Christ. We have control of them. But is that the case for everyone?

Yes, all followers of Christ receive His teachings, but how many of them actually follow and use them? I have met too many church-going men who knew all about Jesus and the Bible but chose not to obey. To have been entrusted with something means we protect it, to watch over it. Are you doing that today? It has been entrusted to you. How trustworthy are you?

Lord, I am so grateful for the teachings I have received. Please help me live them out daily.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Bondslaves, Death, Disobedience, Enslavement, Obedience, Righteousness, Scripture, Slaves

YOU’RE GONNA SERVE SOMEBODY

ROMANS 6:16

“Do you not know that the one to whom you present yourselves as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of that same one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?”

Bob Dylan had a hit Christian song back in the late 70’s entitled, “Gotta Serve Somebody.” You should google it and listen to it sometime. The verses are great, but the chorus drives home the point of today’s verse. It says,

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody

Today’s verse is another memory verse for me from our Every Man A Warrior study. It’s the perfect reminder that we will serve a master – either the devil or Christ. Paul uses an analogy that everyone who read this would quickly understand. Some estimates (which are really hard to nail down) have as much as 1/3 of the population in Rome were slaves. There were so many slaves that many feared they could take over the capital city if they chose to revolt.  So, this picture of slavery in today’s verse was one they all understood.

APPLICATION

In John 8:34 we read, “Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.’” If the Son of God tells us the danger of sin is slavery to it, shouldn’t we listen to Him? We think we can slip in a sin here and there without sin getting its hooks in us. The devil is sneaky and will allow you to swallow that hook before he sets it.

Our voluntary servitude to Christ, however, changes. Look what Christ said in John 15:15. “‘No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, because all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.’” We move from slave to friend. That would have been a crazy thought back when Christ said these words. How can a slave be a friend to their master?

Our Master Jesus is not like other masters. He is a loving and compassionate master. He not only serves as our master, but He also is our friend, our real BFF. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He always hears us and will answer in His perfect timing. So, today choose your master well. Your gonna serve somebody.

I have chosen You, Lord, as my Master. I want to serve You well.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Discipline, Excuses, Forgiveness, Grace, Scripture, Sin

STUPID QUESTIONS

ROMANS 6:15

“What then? Are we to sin because we are not under the Law but under grace? Far from it!”

You’ve probably heard someone say, “There are no stupid questions, only stupid answers.” That may be true in the academia world where students are seeking more knowledge about a subject. They can ask all sorts of questions of their teachers with the hope of learning more. The purpose of that quote above is to encourage students to ask for clarification and to not be afraid of seeking the information they are after.

However…Paul introduces a question today that is really stupid. Pardon me for saying so, but this question is so bizarre that he quickly answers it himself by saying, “Far from it!” It’s very similar to Romans 6:1 that we saw earlier. This whole chapter has been showing us the answer to these two questions. Repetition of thought is important to reinforce learning. That’s exactly what Paul is doing here. He is trying to drive home a point to the Romans and us.

APPLICATION

Concerning this verse, Ellicott’s Commentary says this, “The Apostle returns to a difficulty very similar to that which presented itself at the beginning of the chapter. The answer is couched under a slightly different metaphor. It is no longer death to the one, life to the other, but freedom from the one, service to the other. These are correlative terms. Freedom from sin implies service to God, just as freedom from God means service to sin. The same idea of service and freedom will be found worked out in John 8:32-34; John 8:36, and in Galatians 5:1.”

As followers of Christ, of course, we shouldn’t take grace for granted and sin willfully. I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating. “Before Christ, we chase sin. After Christ, sin chases us.” Don’t ever think Jesus excuses our sins just because we are in the family. Now wait! I am not saying He doesn’t forgive our sins. I said He doesn’t excuse them. Sins have consequences. We may escape an eternal punishment, but we could face discipline here on earth for repeated disobedience.

You don’t hear that preached much, do you? The whole notion that God is love and would never allow anyone to go to hell is just plain hogwash. It is true that God doesn’t send them there, but they do go because of their refusal to follow Him. As a child of God, we can receive a good ole fashion whooping for our continued disobedience. So, to echo Paul’s answer today in this verse concerning choosing to sin – “Far from it!”

O Lord, keep me far from sin and close to You.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Grace, Jesus, Law, Masters, Scripture, Slaves

UNDERGRACE

ROMANS 6:14

“For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under the Law but under grace.”

There’s a hymn written in 1718 that sums up today’s verse well. It is entitled “Christ Receiveth Sinful Men.” The third verse is particularly relevant. It says:

Now my heart condemns me not,

Pure before the law I stand;

He Who cleansed me from all spot,

Satisfied its last demand.

In today’s verse, Paul summarizes once again all the previous verses. Justification is not by works but is only by grace. The little preposition hypo is used here. It means be under something. Often that means to be under the authority of someone or something. In this case, under the authority of the Law or of grace. Paul, being a former Pharisee, knew the futility of trying to appease the Law. You know he was so thankful for grace in his life.

APPLICATION

Paul uses another word that is interesting. In past verses he used a different word to convey the idea of sin reigning over us. In today’s verse he uses kyrieúō which comes from kýrios meaning “Lord.” He used this same word back in 6:9 and will use it again in Romans 7:1 and 14:9. I particularly like how 14:9 uses it in reference to the Lord Jesus. “For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.”

The Law is not Lord. Jesus is. The Law does not rule over us. Jesus does. The Law does not dictate how we live. Jesus does. Why won’t we, as followers of Christ, yield ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus and allow His grace to over us? We chase after sin to try to get some kind of fulfillment but are only left with emptiness and grief. Jesus can fill all our needs if we will allow Him.

If you’re like me, you don’t like to be told what to do. I have always been pretty self-confident and made my own decisions. I often had to make decisions that affected others whom I supervised. But I have learned not to lord it over them. I must show grace. I must emulate the example set for me by Jesus. He will lead us only if we follow. He won’t push or shove us into grace. We must come willingly under His lordship. Will you?

Lord Jesus, I recognize and accept Your lordship over my life. Help me to live under grace each day.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Death, Instruments, Righteousness, Scripture, Unrighteousness

BE THE RIGHT INSTRUMENT

ROMANS 6:13

“and do not go on presenting the parts of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those who are alive from the dead, and your body’s parts as instruments of righteousness for God.”

Doctors who spend time in the operating room have specific surgical instruments they use for each surgical procedure. If they use the wrong instrument, they can do more harm than good. No one wants that, especially the patient. When the correct instrument is used, healing can begin.

Today’s verse is one of my memory verses with our ministry, Every Man A Warrior. It’s a constant reminder to focus our attention on serving our true Master Jesus Christ, not our old master – sin. We need to be the correct instrument of righteousness so we can impact our world around us for good. If we choose to be the wrong instrument (unrighteousness), it only leads to death.

APPLICATION

The word translated “presenting” or “present” is parístēmi “(from pará, ‘from close-beside’ and hístēmi, ‘to stand’) – properly, stand close beside, i.e. ready to present (exhibit).” (HELPS Word-studies) Perhaps a better translation is “to yield.” But it is not just the definition. The verb tenses Paul used for each use tells us something bigger.

In the first use of parístēmi in the verse, it is in the Present Indicative. That is an ongoing, habitual or repeated action. We are not to continuously yield ourselves to sin as an unrighteous instrument. Sure, we are going to sin. But for a follower of Christ, that should be an accident, not a willful, repeated action.

The next time the word is used in the verse it is in the Aorist Indicative. That means it is a simple, completed action or point in time without indicating a duration. In other words, Paul is saying we yield ourselves to God once which does not need to be repeated over and over. You are saved once. It is not necessary to do that over and over again.

What kind of instrument are you today? Are you an instrument of righteousness or unrighteousness, of good or evil? You really do have a choice, but you have the power within you, if you are a follower of Christ, to choose correctly. You have the Holy Spirit to guide and equip you. Stop yielding to the sinful choices and allow the Spirit to live through you to accomplish all that the Lord has for you.

Make me an instrument for You, O Lord. I choose today to place myself in Your hands.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Disobedience, Kingdom, Kings, Obedience, Power, Scripture, Sin

A NEW KING

ROMANS 6:12

“Therefore sin is not to reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts,”

Every year we see new champions emerge in various sports. I am a huge college football fan, so I will be watching to see who wins this year’s national championship. Will Ohio State, the current “king,” repeat or will there be a new “king”? Of course, I am hoping my Georgia Bulldogs pull it out again. In the end, though, whatever team wins the title, it won’t have an eternal value. It’s just football.

In contrast, the new king in our life as followers of Christ means a huge eternal value for us. Up until we surrendered to Christ, sin was the king of our life. It ruled and reigned. But…when Christ came into our lives, sin’s dominion was over. I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating. Paul is telling us plainly that we have a new king – King Jesus. He now reigns in us and has filled us with His Holy Spirit.

APPLICATION

The Topical Lexicon says this about the Greek word for “reign,” “The verb frames redemption as a transfer of government—from the tyrannical rule of sin and death to the liberating sovereignty of grace.” One commentator noted that Paul did NOT say that sin would not still be present. That’s a fact we have to live with until we go to heaven. But we are to not allow it to reign anymore.

Do you remember playing “King of the Mountain” when you were little? A group of kids find a small hill and take turns being “the king” on top while the others try to push him/her off and take their place. Man, I can remember the feeling of being on top and successfully defending my “throne.” However, when a bunch of them teamed up, they were able to “dethrone” me.

When we make Jesus King of our lives, I promise you the demons of hell will team up to try to dethrone Him in your life. Of course, they can’t do that, but they can make your life miserable if you pay them attention, if you allow them an inch of ground. Do not let sin reign in your body. It has no power over you as a follower of Christ. Yield to Christ’s reign and trust His power in your life.

Thank You, Lord, for putting King Jesus in my life.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Christ, Death, Eternity, Family, Scripture, Sin

YOU TOO

ROMANS 6:11

“So you too, consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Have you ever been with a group of people who you just met and they said, “Hey, why don’t you join us this weekend for a roadtrip?”? I mean, you had just met them and were already being invited to be a part of the group. The weekend promised to allow you to get to know them better and develop some deeper friendships. What fun!

Similarly, we are invited, through our decision to follow Christ, to join Him for eternity. Now, that’s fun! Look at the verse. Paul says, “So you too…” The Greek literally reads, “So also you.” In other words, you are included in all that Paul has been talking about for the past several verses (go back and read verses 1-10). All that Christ did was to allow us to be a part of His family. What a great promise from the Father.

APPLICATION

The Expositor’s Greek Testament says this about today’s verse, “In this verse the application is made of all that precedes. The death with Christ, the life with Christ, are real, yet to be realised. The truth of being a Christian is contained in them, yet the calling of the Christian is to live up to them. We may forget what we should be; we may also (and this is how Paul puts it) forget what we are. We are dead to sin in Christ’s death; we are alive to God in Christ’s resurrection; let us regard ourselves as such in Christ Jesus.”

Don’t you just love that? I love the last phrase above that says, “let us regard ourselves as such in Christ Jesus.” All that we are promised is only possible because of Jesus. He paid the ultimate price for our sins. He was sinless but gave His blood to pay the ransom for our sins. Can you ever truly ever get over the fact that He has invited you to come along with Him? I sure can’t.

The Greek word translated as “alive” is zao which means “to live, experience God’s gift of life.” (HELPS Word-studies) It is actually better translated as “living.” We should be living to God, as we talked about in yesterday’s blog. We are to be constantly striving to be more and more like Him. I want my life to be a shining example of my walk with Jesus. Don’t you? Then walk with Him daily. You are dead to sin and alive in Him. Celebrate that.

O Lord, I give You thanks for “bringing me along” on a journey with You.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Eternity, Glorify, Glory, Heaven, Life, Scripture

LIVE TO GOD

ROMANS 6:10

“For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all time; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.”

It’s funny how your life changes from season to season. I’m talking about seasons of life. When I was younger and single, I lived for Carl. All I thought about was doing what was good for me. I wasn’t a horrible person, but my priority was ME. When I got married and had children all that changed. Now, my priority was to my family. I worked to provide for them. I lived to protect them, to teach my children and hopefully live a life worth imitating in the eyes of God. Priorities shift, don’t they?

Jesus’s priorities never shifted. Before He came to earth, He lived to give glory to God. As a man on earth, He lived a life that pointed every to God. And now that He is in heaven, He still lives to point everything to His Father. Talking about consistency! Paul tells us in today’s verse, “the life that He lives (meaning now in heaven at the righthand side of the Father), He lives to God.” He points us all to the glory of the Father.

APPLICATION

Barnes has a wonderful explanation of Jesus’ life now and what that means for us as Christ’s followers. “He seeks to promote his glory. The argument of Paul is this: Christians by their profession are united to him. They are bound to imitate him. As he now lives only to advance the glory of God; as all his mighty power, now that he is raised from the dead, and elevated to his throne in heaven, is exerted to promote his glory; so should their powers, being raised from the death of sin, be exerted to promote the glory of God.”

Do you measure your plans and decisions against that metric? Are you seeking to give glory to the Father? It is so easy to make our plans and decisions and then ask the Father to bless them. Instead, we should be going to the Father first and ask Him what His plans are. Do you recall Jeremiah 29:11? “‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’”

Before you make a list of New Year’s resolutions, consult the Lord. He may change your path drastically. He may point you toward someone you need to disciple. But whatever you do, be like Jesus and point it all to God. Give Him the glory for all He does in and through you.

Father God, You have ordained my days and given me a path to follow. I want to stay close by Your side each and every day.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Cross, Death, Eternal Life, Jesus, Life, Promises, Scripture

DIED ONCE FOR ALL

ROMANS 6:9

“knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.”

As a lifelong Baptist I have heard the whole debate about crosses verses crucifixes. A lot of my Baptist friends will argue that since Christ is alive and was resurrected, we should not have a symbol of Him remaining on the cross. My Catholic friends see the crucifix as a reminder of the sacrifice of Christ on that cross. They know He is alive and resurrected. Honestly, I don’t have a problem with the crucifix. To me it’s no different than watching a movie about the crucifixion each year. Let’s just agree to celebrate His sacrifice. Amen?

Paul knew that Christ had been raised from the dead. He had spoken to Him on that road to Emmaus. He knew Jesus’ shed His divine blood once for all mankind. He knew He had defeated death and the grave. Today’s verse is a reminder to us all of the supreme sacrifice and our promise of eternal life with Him one day. Understand this – for a follower of Christ the dominion of death has expired.

APPLICATION

Two of the verbs in today’s verse need to be explained. “Is…to die again” is in the Present Indicative Active. That verb tense is an ongoing action of the verb. Paul is saying that Christ is no longer dying constantly. He is not suffering for us now. He is advocating for us. He’s at the right hand of the Father. He died ONCE for all.

The other verb to look at is translated as “is..master.” It literally reads in the Greek “no longer rules over.” It’s the Greek word kurieuó and is also in the Present Indicative Active. Strong’s defines it as “have dominion over, exercise lordship over.” Death is not ruling over Jesus. Just the opposite, in fact. He defeated death. When He was resurrected, death saw its last day of dominion over mankind. Those who follow Jesus walk in that victory.

Where are you today in regard to Christ’s death and resurrection? I pray you have made that decision to follow Him. If you have, walk in that victory that is yours through Jesus. There is absolutely no reason to feel defeated. Trust Him to show you each day how to handle those situations that test you. He wants to see you living victoriously, not defeated. Remember, He died and arose again for you. This is an eternal promise from the Father.

O God, I praise You that I have victory of sin and the grave because of Jesus’ shed blood and His victory over death.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Death, Eternal Life, Life, Promises, Scripture

IF HE…THEN WE

ROMANS 6:8

“Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,”

One key parenting skill is teaching our children cause and effect. You can do that by saying to them, “If you do this, then this will happen.” For example, if you clean up your room, then you can have some extra video time. You get it. It’s important, though, to make sure if they do what you ask them, then you have to follow through with the “then.” Promises made equal promises kept.

Paul tells us in today’s verse that if we are dead to our sins because of our trust in Christ, then we shall live in Him. That’s a pretty good promise, isn’t it? In Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible there is this commentary on the last half of today’s verse. There was a lot more, but I chose to just include the following. “and are therefore under the greatest obligation, whilst here on earth, to live, not in sin, but to righteousness, and to his praise and glory; with whom they are now dead to sin, and with whom they not only hope, but believe they shall live throughout the endless ages of eternity.” That’s a wonderful explanation.

APPLICATION

How shall we apply this verse today? One is so clear in the first part of the verse. We must die with Christ daily. We must give up all our wants and desires to Him. We have no rights as crucified followers of Christ. All our rights are nailed to the cross. Does that mean we are powerless and helpless? Far from. It. Look at the second part.

Paul says, “we believe.” Don’t read that and just blow right past it. That is critical. So many believers make the decision to follow Christ but fail to believe in in His promises. We have to trust. We have to believe. We have to have faith in what He says is true.

Finally, Paul says, “we shall also live with Him.” That’s incredible. Paul is not referring to our future life with Him in heaven, though that is true. He is talking about our daily walk with Him now. We can live with Christ today. We can live for Him now. Every decision we make needs to flow from the Master. Every step we take is to be taken with Him.

You have to walk pretty close to someone on the beach to follow their footprints because the waves come in and wash them away. The same goes with Christ. We should be right on His heels every step. If He says something, we do it. If He guides us somewhere, we go. If – Then!

Father, I want to do whatever, whenever and however You lead. If You say it, then I will do it.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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