Don't Misunderstand (Romans 6:1-11)

SCRIPTURE

Romans 6:1-11
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 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.
   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. We know that our old self 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. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.  We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.  For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.  So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

COMMENT

This is not an argument that should come from true Christians. It is an argument of manipulation. Those who would say this are twisting Paul's words to say something else. Or, they do not understand if we give the benefit of the doubt.

Manipulators:  So, Paul, you say it is only faith that matters and not my works. I believe, therefore I can do anything I want, no consequence from God.
Paul:  No, that is not what I said, boys. What I said was faith comes before works. You don't use your works to please God, you use your faith. That faith should then motivate your good works, which are then an expression of your faith and love for God.
Manipulators: But you said, "Our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God!"
Paul: Context, friends. I said, "But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) By no means!" Did you catch that. BY NO MEANS! That is not a valid argument! I also said that those who think such things deserve the condemnation they get.
Manipulators:  But you said, "None is righteous, no, not one."
Paul:  Exactly. Which is why we need faith rather than works. It is only through faith in Christ that anyone can be found righteous before God. Even our righteous acts are nothing before God!
Manipulators:  But you said all fall short of the glory of God.
Paul:  ...and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ.
Manipulators:  You seem to have an answer for everything.
Paul:  Well, I did write most of the New Testament.
Manipulators:  New Testament? What's that?
Paul:  Never mind. We should have an answer when questioned about what we believe, and that answer should be based on faith, not human desires. That is why I talk about dying with Christ that we may live. That is why I talk about the old self being crucified, that we might walk in newness of life. That is why I speak of dying to sin and being alive in Christ. It is not all prettiness and ease. It is not about you and your best life now, it is about Christ and your best life in Him.
Manipulators:  But that is not what we signed up for!
Paul:  I know. But I would not be a servant of Christ if I did not speak the truth. I pray that you will hear and believe it.

This manipulation was not just for the early church. Remember Jesus's words for those who thought they were doing the right things, "‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’" (Matthew 7:23) Those words should serve to scare and wake up many so-called believers.