Sabbath, October 21, 2006

INTRODUCTION

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:22.

“So it is only through the life from God that spiritual life is begotten in the hearts of men. Unless a man is ‘born from above,’ he cannot become a partaker of the life which Christ came to give.” –Steps to Christ, p. 67.

RIGHTEOUSNESS

1. Chapters five and six of Romans speak of righteousness. While chapter five emphasizes our justification before God, what does chapter six stress? How do these two expressions differ?
Romans 6:19, 22 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness… But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

“The righteousness by which we are justified is imputed; the righteousness by which we are sanctified is imparted. The first is our title to heaven, the second is our fitness for heaven. (RH, June 4, ”–Messages to Young People, p. 35.

2. With what question did Paul seek to protect his readers from a wrong understanding concerning sin and grace?
Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

DEATH AND RESURRECTION

3. How did Paul answer this question?
Romans 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Colossians 3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

“In the new birth the heart is brought into harmony with God, as it is brought into accord with his law. When this mighty change has taken place in the sinner, he has passed from death unto life, from sin unto holiness, from transgression and rebellion to obedience and ”–The Great Controversy, p. 468.

4. How does the converted man declare that he has forsaken the service of Satan and has entered the service of Jesus?
Romans 6:3-5 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.

5. What is connected with baptism?
Colossians 2:12, 13 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD

6. What is ratified by baptism? What follows this?
2 Corinthians 6:17, 18 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

“Christ enjoins those who receive this ordinance to remember that they are bound by a solemn covenant to live to the Lord.” –God’s Amazing Grace, p. 143.

“If we are true to our vow, there is opened to us a door of communication with heaven–a door that no human hand or satanic agency can close. (RH May 17, 1906).” –S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p.

7. What happens when our human nature is linked with the crucified and resurrected Christ?
Romans 6:6, 7 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.

“In baptism we are given to the Lord as a vessel to be used. Baptism is a most solemn renunciation of the world. Self is by profession dead to a life of sin. The waters cover the candidate, and in the presence of the whole heavenly universe the mutual pledge is made.” –S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1074.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS

• Does my life belong fully to the Lord?
• Can Christ live totally in me?
• Can I recognize in my life the steps to a new birth and a new life in Christ?