Paul's Treat of Grace in Romans - Essay Example

? PAUL'S TREAT OF GRACE IN CHAPTER 6 OF ROMANS Lecturer: Address: Paul's Treat of Grace in Chapter 6 of Romans Introduction In Romans chapter 6, Paul addresses sin against grace. The chapter is based on how Christians struggle with sin. The epistle to the romans derives its setting from the preceding chapters where sin is defined. Based on the approach Paul takes to grace, the human being is prone to sin and sin has its own repercussions. He elaborates that sin is deadly despite it being something that is common to human life. The epistle thus introduces grace based on the fact that human beings and sin are acquaintances, yet there is salvation that comes from the grace of God, but it is a choice. In this chapter, Paul acknowledges that sin has to be absolved by God for one to have a chance in eternal life, but it is not mandatory that grace is offered, yet it does not give one a free pass to the sweetness of sin. Based in Paul’s approach to grace and sin, the latter is quite compelling and is associated with a life that has earthly pleasures, which should not be what a Christian aspires due to the repercussions that are associated with engaging in the acts that contradict the life of a Christian and Christianity principles1. Analysis The introduction of grace in the Christian life is based on the choices an individual makes. Sin as described by Paul is unavoidable and Christians shall find themselves in it, but through grace, a Christian can be saved from sin and gain eternal life. The chapter addresses sin as a life of slavery and Paul goes on to further states that without proper knowledge and insight, it would be impossible to live a life devoid of sin. The epistle faults humanity and introduces the element of human weakness in saying that “we are dead to that master” (6: 7& 8), which is a life of sin. By introducing elements of the Lord being our savior as a choice shows the Christians that they have a choice to make with regards to how effectively they are able to follow the commandments of God2. Living a life within the grace of God is based on the choice of being able to abstain from sin from being a follower of Christ, which is done through baptism. The grace of god is available to those who believe in is teachings and his son, which encompasses the act of baptism. The context of the epistle is trying to establish a logical flow that paints salvation as a process where the Christian has to make choices. The choices that are made in a Christian’s life have spiritual consequences as painted by Paul. Though we are given the ability to choose and dominion over God’s creations, we have an obligation to him. Part of that obligation as suggested by Paul is avoiding sin. This abstinence from sin is based on the idea that the body, being earthly shall compel us to sin. The body shall be compelled to the evil desires since it is mortal, but as a Christian, one should rely on the spiritual to avoid falling trap to the associations of sin. The grace of God can save our spiritual form, although Paul does not create a great disparity between body and soul. In grace then our spiritual being shall have the capability of putting up defense against the challenge of earthly desires. Grace is important to Christian life since as Paul describes the body has an influence on the spirit and the spiritual being shall suffer from the transgressions of the body3. The Christian thus must make a decision as to whether their preference lays in being an instrument of righteousness or the contrasting wickedness. As discussed by Paul, life consists of several challenges, which are earthly and are part of what can be described as sin. Every Christian shall face challenges in life which should be overcome through staunch faith and living in the footprints of Christ. Different parameters of earthly life contribute to the choices one makes and contribute to spiritual and bodily adherence to Christianity. Conversion to Christianity involves several steps that must get the believer to accept Christ in their life. As Paul describes the acceptance of Christ, being baptized, it encompasses believing in his teachings and following in his footsteps4. Adherence to the life of Christ Paul emphasizes on the need for the non-Christians to turn a new leaf into a life of Christianity. Paul describes life in sin as slavery to push his agenda of people seeking a better life in Christ. The visual of grace in the Christian life is salvation. In the life of both Christian and non-Christians, being trapped by sin is quite common and it is an obstacle that should overcome to live a graceful and spiritual life. Since the case of spiritual life is based on the faith an individual has in Christianity, the first step is getting into a life where the value of Christianity is upheld. Based on the perspective of Paul on humanity, it is impossible for the human being to overcome sin, which comes mostly in the form of temptation of the body. The body is the weak link in spiritual life and it requires help to overcome sin. The point of getting into a life with Christ is not only based on leading a spiritual life, but also being able to detect and recognize sin and keep oneself as well as other Christians and colleagues from falling into its slavery, which would lead the Christian on a path that is tough and challenging. Understanding what Christianity is based on the provisions the life has for the soul and spirit5. The case of falling into sin means that sin now becomes the master of a Christian life, which is where grace is needed to help the involved persons into moving forward with a life that is Christ like. Based on the conceivable idea that Christians shall always fall prey to sin, it necessitates for grace to be invoked. being that he lived hat would be called a perfect bodily and spiritually. Leading a Christian life that involves overcoming challenges as Christ did takes a lot of faith, believe and resilience. Although the life of Christ is what is recommended, adherence to that life is next to impossible when considering that human beings are weak in faith, especially with the body giving in to urges of the flesh. Considering the obstacles that the human shall face in their daily life, it is essential that all matters concerning faith be based on the belief of Christ being the source of all spirituality6. God is meant to help the human being overcome different challenges via his word, inspiration, and insight; however, this may not be as simple. Considering the case of Christ and comparing it to non-Christians who have turned to Christianity there is a lot of blemish involved in the lives of the new convicts, despite this concept, it is possible for the converted to gain eternal life through being baptized. Paul paints grace with baptism, as it is the doorway to living a new life. Grace is available to those who have made a conscious decision to walks along the path of Christ, by following his example Christianity. In the epistle, Paul talks of a kingdom that is coming, yet some of the audience he addresses will not experience death until they see the kingdom of Christ. There is assurance from Paul that by participating with Christ there is a place in the new kingdom and this is achieved via living a life a Christ did. The baptism of a Christian provides one with an opening by which they can start a new life devoid of sin and full of promise and free from the old ways of sin. According to Paul, grace thus begins from baptism7. Although grace has been used as a path to eternal life, there is sin that one may not be able to avoid during their life. Grace is a privilege that is directed towards the Christians by God based on the fact that it is expected for humans to sin. Different types of sin of the human race could mean that they are falling back into a life of slavery, but their insight to what Christianity is and what sin is based on helps the Christians in identifying the sins they have committed and thus repenting to absolve themselves. God’s grace then is called upon to forgive the Christians for having committed the sins. This is a privilege that individuals who do not believe in Christ are offered and thus necessitates the need of being a Christian. Conclusion In conclusion, the securing of God’s grace as described by Paul involves being baptized into the life in Christ. The life in Christ translates to being saved from the repercussions of sin; acceptance of Christ in one’s life translates to the saving of the Christians and non-Christians lives. Baptism is thus the gateway into a life of eternal peace and spiritual cleansing. The results of baptism are the inclusion into a life of Christianity in which the soul can be saved. References Hays, Richard B. (1989), Echoes of scripture in the letters of Paul. New Haven: Yale University. Moo, D. J., (1996), The Epistle to the Romans. 2nd Ed. Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. Barrett, C. K., (1991), The Epistle to the Romans. 2nd Ed. British Columbia: Hendrickson Publishers. Morris, L., (1988), The Epistle to the Romans. Michigan: W.B. Eerdmans. Witherington, B., & Hyatt, D., (2004), Paul's Letter to the Romans: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. Dunn, J. D. G., (1998), The Theology of Paul the Apostle. Michigan: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing. Murray, J., (1997), The Epistle to the Romans: The English Text with Introduction, Exposition, and Notes, Volume 2 (2nd Ed.). Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. Read More