Antinomianism and the Gospel of Grace
June 15, 2003 Northwest Bible Church
Worship Service Alan Conner
Rom. 6:1-14
Antinomianism and the Gospel of Grace
INTRO
I. Theme - 1:16-17 The gospel of the righteousness of God
II. Universal sin - 1:18-3:20 The need of righteousness
III. Justification by faith - 3:21-5:21 The provision of righteousness
A. Justification explained and verified – 3:21-4:25
B. Justification, its fruits – 5:1-11
C. Justification, its roots – 5:12-21
IV. Justification and sanctification - 6:1-8:17 The practice of righteousness
A. Sanctification and our union with Christ – 6:1-14
In Romans 6 Paul is dealing with a new objection; namely, if we are justified and counted righteous before God, then why not continue in sin? Paul’s answer is found in Romans 6 and is made up of two parallel sections (Rom. 6:1-14 and Rom. 6:15-23) which argue that it is inconceivable that Christians should continue in a life of sin. The argument in the first section is based on our union with Christ, and in the second it is based on our slavery to God and gospel righteousness.
I. THE OBJECTION OF ANTINOMIANISM (6:1).
A. The context behind the question. See 5:20-21.
In other words, Paul your gospel leads to lawlessness and a sinful lifestyle! It works against a life of righteousness and encourages us to sin! Your gospel Paul leads to antinomianism!
B. What is antinomianism? Literally, it means Anti-law of God, or lawlessness. In a nutshell, antinomianism believes that since believers are saved by the free grace of God, they are not responsible to live according to the moral law of God.
1) Spirit-led antinomianism -
2) Positional antinomianism –
3) Dispensational antinomianism -
4) Immoral antinomianism.
II. PAUL’S ANSWER (6:2f).
“May it never be.” This is Paul’s favorite way to respond to an misguided objection. It is found 14 times in Paul and 10 times in Romans. Paul says emphatically that justification does not give anyone a license to sin, and you cannot separate justification from sanctification.
III. JUSTIFICATION AND SANCTIFICATION
Justification is a judicial act of God, in which He declares the believing sinner to be righteous before the law of God, imputing to the believer’s spiritual account Christ’s own righteousness, and forgiving him of all of his sins.
Sanctification is that gracious and continuous operation of the Holy Spirit by which He delivers the justified sinner from the pollution and power of sin, renews his whole nature in the image of God, and enables him to obey God and perform good works.
Justification
Sanctification
Imputes Christ’s righteousness
Removes sin’s guilt and penalty
Means = faith without works
Legal transaction
Perfect righteousness
One time
Saves
Work of the Father
Develops personal righteousness
Gradually weakens the power of sin
Means = faith with works
Moral change
Imperfect righteousness
On-going
Evidence of salvation
Work of the Holy Spirit
Justification and sanctification cannot be separated. Heb. 12:14; I Jn. 2:3, 29; 3:9.
IV. THE MEANS OF SANCTIFICATION.
In Romans 6:1-14 Paul is going to give us the pathway to sanctification:
1) Principle of knowledge (Rom. 6:1-10)
2) Principle of faith (Rom. 6:8, 11)
3) Principle of presentation (Rom. 6:12-14).
CONCLUSION