After reading these two sections of scripture, you'll notice how Paul takes his original question from v. 1 and works it through from a different angle in Romans 6:15-18:
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Romans 6:1-2
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. Romans 6:15-18
Freedom from sin does not mean we are free to sin. As we move forward into the letter, Paul addresses the occasional sin of the believer. Previously, we learned that a habitual life of sin is not congruent with the life of a believer. Because we died with Christ, sin no longer reigns. However, we don't become perfect instantaneously. A little touch of sin isn't going to ruin us, right?
Fortunately, Paul helps us answer the "What then?" question using spiritual principles about obedience in verses 16 and 17:
Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.
Is a little sin here and there okay, we ask? Paul would say to you: Don't you know that when you, ______ {fill in your name}, entertain a little bit of sin, you are a slave to the sin you obey? That "little sin" love affair of yours — it's not just a fly in the ointment; it's a viper thrashing at your feet, ready to strike.
I spent a great deal of my Christian walk loving my sin. Coddling it. Convincing myself and believing Satan's lie that "a little bit" wouldn't harm me (or that it would only harm me and no one else). But friends, that is counter to the Biblical principles we are told:
"But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out. Numbers 32:23
This verse in the book of Numbers doesn't say the Lord will come and hunt you down and beat you with a 2x4 because of your sin (He already knows). However, it does say your sin will find you out. Meaning, we reap what we sow. When we sow corruption, we will reap evil. When we sow righteousness, we will reap holiness.
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Galatians 6:7
God is at the ready with His mercy. He made the way, after all, through His son, Jesus Christ. Regardless, we can't walk around ignorant and deceived by thinking a little yeast [sin] doesn't leaven the whole batch of dough [our life].
What am I supposed to do when tempted with the lusts of the eyes, lusts of the flesh, and pride of life (1 John 2:16)? Jesus gives us a direct and aggressive answer in Matthew 5:29:
If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
He didn't literally mean to start hacking off your body parts. But, He provides a provocative word picture of the hostility we should take against "a little bit" of sin in our lives.
One way or another, we will serve something. It could be our appetite, lust, alcohol, career, tearing down others, impatience, corrupt practices, or other sinful pleasures. And, like most sin, it's fun...for a season (Hebrews 11:25).
As discussed earlier, we can legally be free from sin but choose to stay captive (remember the story about Edward and Raynald from Romans 6:13-14?). Paul keeps encouraging us and reminding us that our slavery is past tense. Look at how he addresses us in Romans 6:17-18:
But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
Paul reminds us that our slavery is behind us, and we can now "obey from your heart the pattern of teaching." I love how Paul speaks of the heart. While our natural heart is wicked (Jeremiah 17:9), when we choose to live in Christ, we are transformed with an undivided heart because of the new spirit in us (Ezekiel 11:19).
Paul explains that faith comes from the heart, not only the mind. Faith results in obedience because we act according to that belief if we truly believe something. Read that last sentence again and ask God to show you an area of your life where your belief isn't in alignment with His Word. Spend some time prayerfully conversing with God about your misbelief, and ask Him to replace it with His Truth.
Paul goes on from faith to talk about "the pattern of teaching." This is glorious, so don't miss it. We spoke about Habits of Freedom last week. This builds upon this same idea (remember, Paul is never frustrated by repeating the same thing again -- he knows we need to hear it!). The "pattern of teaching" wording is a beautiful picture. The word pattern or form describes a mold used to shape molten metal. The idea is that God wants to shape us – first, He melts us by the work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Then He pours us into His mold of truth – that form or pattern of doctrine [teaching] and shapes us into His image.
God repeatedly instructs the Israelites not to worship idols (or gods from other cultures) in the Old Testament. Physical, metal idols in the Old Testament translate to the many mental idols we have now. God's desire wasn't for His people to spend time shaping and patterning themself after the world but instead to allow Him to shape us through the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).
As we close out this week's study of Romans, I'd invite you to revisit the encouragement I provided earlier:
Paul explains that faith comes from the heart, not only the mind. Faith results in obedience because we will act according to that belief if we truly believe something. Sit still now and ask God to show you an area of your life where your belief isn't aligned with His Word. Talk it out with Him, even though you don't fully see the root. Then, after some prayerful conversation, ask Him to replace the misbelief and rotten root with His Truth. Look for scripture that can anchor you as your misbelief is uprooted and replaced with the eternal freedom of truth.