Saturday, 25 May 2013
For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:14
The Bible teaches that man was granted dominion over the beasts of the earth. This is implicit in the naming of the animals in Genesis 2. When one names something, it is because they have the rule and authority over it. Despite this rule, man is himself a being which is ruled. The original intent of man is that God would rule over him and that the two would walk in fellowship. However, the devil swayed man from the friendly rule of God to his personal, destructive rule. God’s rule is one of grace and abundance; the devil’s rule is one of sin and corruption. John tells us that the main reason for Jesus’ coming was to correct our state to its original intent –
“He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8
We are either under God’s rule or under the rule of the devil. There are no other options. If we are under the devil, then sin has dominion over us; we are slaves to it. However, when we accept Jesus’ work by faith, we move to the proper and originally-intended rule of God. We are to become slaves to righteousness and live under His grace.
The dominion of the devil, which is one of sin, is realized because of law. Where there is no law, there is no transgression. But there was a law and man broke the law, thus receiving his just condemnation. However, Jesus never broke the law, thus fulfilling it. When we move to Him, the law is fulfilled and we can never be judged by it again. We are free from the law and thus free from sin’s penalty and power; we are under grace.
Because this is true, we should endeavor to live as if it is true. This is what we are instructed. We can now live to God, free from the constraints of the law and the penalty of sin. The condemnation that loomed over us is removed. This is the marvel of Christ; this is the glory of what God has done for His creatures. Let us live lives which are holy and appropriate to the exalted position to which we have been raised by the goodness of God.
Life application: Our state in Christ is unmerited and therefore we should receive it as such – with praise, honor, and right-living. Let us stand fast in the freedom with which Christ has set us free – to the glory of God the Father.
Heavenly Father, it is beyond my comprehension all that You have done for us. You have broken the chains which bound us and have cut through the bars which have imprisoned us; You have set us free to worship You in Spirit and in truth. Thank You for the cross which reconciles us to You and restores to us access to Your glorious presence. Amen.