The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Romans 6, Freed from sin?

Well, it looks like no one is going to respond to your question(s), which is a shame.

1. Paul is saying that we are no longer under the dominion of sin in two ways: a) the power to condemn true believers was removed by their substitute, Jesus Christ, in His crucifixion. And, b) the power of sin, i.e., it's domination as that which influenced one to sin, aka: Total Depravity, has been broken. With regeneration came a new dominion of the mind, affections and will, which is predisposed to holiness and righteousness.

2. Definition: "body of sin"... this is not to be construed that the body, in and of itself was/is sinful. The body, sometimes referred to as "the flesh" is the instrument of sin, i.e., it is the vehicle through which the sinful nature is expressed outwardly.

3. Sin is still part of a regenerated believers life because the 'old nature' was not totally eradicated. It still exerts its influence but in a radically diminished capacity compared to when it had total dominance.

4. We are 'freed from sin', again in two aspects: a) freed from the condemnation which it brought for it revealed the guiltiness one has according to the law, which is all the law can do in a three-fold way: i) reveals one's sinfulness, ii) establishes condemnation for not keeping it perfectly, and iii) even increases the desire to sin, b) having been crucified with Christ (that unfathomable union with Christ), the desire to do all the will of God is the believer's primary goal.

5. Re: "slaves to sin" has already been touched on above. The dominion of the sin is what one outside of Christ controls all that he thinks, desires and does. Those who have been united to Christ by a true living faith, due to the regeneration of the Holy Spirit, are now 'slaves to Christ', i.e., they belong to Him and thus desire to now serve God in Him. The hold that the sin nature once had was broken. Out of the new nature what now natural flows from it is a love for God, love for all that is holy and good and a hatred of sin. The believer is now 'free' from the condemnation of the law, it's power and dominating presence or influence. This new freedom does not abolish the law in relation to the believer (Antinomianism), but rather further establishes the law. Apart from grace, the law only condemns. But due to grace, the law now serves as a guide to holy living before God. The law, in and of itself has no power to save. But in Christ the law becomes the believer's delight.