Okay so let's address the elephant in the room with Scripture...
17For 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.
v17 is comparing Adam's disobedience with Christ's obedience.
Before Christ we were identify by the "old man". Because of Adam's trespass death reigned in our lives. But, before of Christ's obedience now grace and righteousness reign in our life.
We were not sinners because of our actions. There was no amount of righteous acts we could do to become righteous. This was an identity issue, through Adam, death reigned and because death reigned sin reigned.
19For 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.
But now, through Christ, grace and righteousness reign. And because of this new identity in Christ, life reigns and because life reigns righteousness reigns.
What does righteousness reigning look like?
Romans 12:9Let love be genuine.
And then Paul continues on to tell us what genuine love looks like:
Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,[SUP]g[/SUP] serve the Lord. 12Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Please notice that Paul is focusing on what love looks like not sin. When Paul does reference sin he is talking about works of the flesh. This is selfish and not loving others. I will show you:
[SUP]13 [/SUP]For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. [SUP]14 [/SUP]For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Freedom has been given to us so we can serve one another in love. This is not the works of the flesh. We are called to walk by the Spirit notice this Scripture is right after Paul talks about loving one another. This is not a coincidence. We are pursuing love. The desires of the flesh are against the Spirit. Because the desires of the flesh are about self-protection. And doing these our way not God's way.
[SUP]16 [/SUP]But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [SUP]17 [/SUP]For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
All of these are about getting selfish needs met through illegal ways:
[SUP]19 [/SUP]Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, [SUP]20 [/SUP]idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, [SUP]21 [/SUP]envy,[SUP][d][/SUP] drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do[SUP][e][/SUP] such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Paul is contrasting those who don't have Christ with those who do. You see this because of his final conclusion.
First Paul is explaining what love looks like:
[SUP]22 [/SUP]But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [SUP]23 [/SUP]gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. [SUP]24 [/SUP]And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
[SUP]25 [/SUP]If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
How do we keep step with the Spirit, Paul?
[SUP]26 [/SUP]Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Notice Paul is not focusing on sin again (at least not how some think) he is focusing on loving one another. This is how we keep in step with the Spirit.
So then how can we LOVE each other?
19We love because he first loved us. 20If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot[SUP]a[/SUP] love God whom he has not seen. 21And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
Why am I focusing on this? Because those who espouse this idea of greasy grace don't even realize that they are pointing at themselves.
How much do you love your brothers? Probably very little until you yourself have truly accepted God's love for you. And if you're still trying to be saved, have you truly accepted it? The fruit you bear will show it.
You want to call out false teachers? It's by your fruit that people know if you know God. What is this fruit? Your love.
John 13:34A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Notice it doesn't say people will know you're my disciples by your Bible knowledge. Sure that's important, but if our Bible knowledge doesn't lead us to loving each other. Are we truly being lead by the Spirit?
C.
17For 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.
v17 is comparing Adam's disobedience with Christ's obedience.
Before Christ we were identify by the "old man". Because of Adam's trespass death reigned in our lives. But, before of Christ's obedience now grace and righteousness reign in our life.
We were not sinners because of our actions. There was no amount of righteous acts we could do to become righteous. This was an identity issue, through Adam, death reigned and because death reigned sin reigned.
19For 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.
But now, through Christ, grace and righteousness reign. And because of this new identity in Christ, life reigns and because life reigns righteousness reigns.
What does righteousness reigning look like?
Romans 12:9Let love be genuine.
And then Paul continues on to tell us what genuine love looks like:
Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,[SUP]g[/SUP] serve the Lord. 12Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Please notice that Paul is focusing on what love looks like not sin. When Paul does reference sin he is talking about works of the flesh. This is selfish and not loving others. I will show you:
[SUP]13 [/SUP]For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. [SUP]14 [/SUP]For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Freedom has been given to us so we can serve one another in love. This is not the works of the flesh. We are called to walk by the Spirit notice this Scripture is right after Paul talks about loving one another. This is not a coincidence. We are pursuing love. The desires of the flesh are against the Spirit. Because the desires of the flesh are about self-protection. And doing these our way not God's way.
[SUP]16 [/SUP]But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [SUP]17 [/SUP]For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
All of these are about getting selfish needs met through illegal ways:
[SUP]19 [/SUP]Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, [SUP]20 [/SUP]idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, [SUP]21 [/SUP]envy,[SUP][d][/SUP] drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do[SUP][e][/SUP] such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Paul is contrasting those who don't have Christ with those who do. You see this because of his final conclusion.
First Paul is explaining what love looks like:
[SUP]22 [/SUP]But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [SUP]23 [/SUP]gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. [SUP]24 [/SUP]And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
[SUP]25 [/SUP]If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
How do we keep step with the Spirit, Paul?
[SUP]26 [/SUP]Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Notice Paul is not focusing on sin again (at least not how some think) he is focusing on loving one another. This is how we keep in step with the Spirit.
So then how can we LOVE each other?
19We love because he first loved us. 20If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot[SUP]a[/SUP] love God whom he has not seen. 21And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
Why am I focusing on this? Because those who espouse this idea of greasy grace don't even realize that they are pointing at themselves.
How much do you love your brothers? Probably very little until you yourself have truly accepted God's love for you. And if you're still trying to be saved, have you truly accepted it? The fruit you bear will show it.
You want to call out false teachers? It's by your fruit that people know if you know God. What is this fruit? Your love.
John 13:34A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Notice it doesn't say people will know you're my disciples by your Bible knowledge. Sure that's important, but if our Bible knowledge doesn't lead us to loving each other. Are we truly being lead by the Spirit?
C.
Anyone can claim to be a Christian be saved they can go to church every week they can pray 24/7 they can know the bible like the back of their hand yet this isn't what makes a Christian is it?