Free
Notice the prompt, decisive and unhesitating reply Paul gives to the question in verse one. “God forbid.” He had been teaching that justification is free and received by a simple act of faith in all that Jesus Christ has done. Salvation is brought to the sinner by God and offered to him as a free gift. God seems to even press the sinner to freely accept it. When the sinner consents then the act of reconciliation is struck, and a covenant is entered into. All of this is taught by Paul in the preceding chapter by using phrases like, “free grace,” ” justification by faith and not of works,” and “the gift of righteousness.”
Abundant Grace
In chapter five, Paul taught that no matter how bad you were or how much sin you did, God had a superabundance of grace in store to pardon you. Paul fears the question might then be asked, “Shall we do more sin, in order that we may receive more of this grace?” He answers with a very loud “NO.” He gives this negative answer even before he gives the reasons for his arguments. Even if you don’t understand his reasoning in chapters six, seven, and eight for why we should not continue in sin, at least know Paul’s response to the question is a strong NO. As free and liberal as the gospel is with forgiveness for our sin, there is no place for a Christian to believe he can enjoy the practice of sin once he is saved. But still be assured that no sin into which you have ever fallen and no amount of sin you have done puts you beyond the reach of God’s amazing grace. Paul does not know the measure of the sin you may have been in. He does not know the amount of the the lawlessness you may be involved with. But he does know the abundance of grace that God has to forgive. No sin or amount of sins is so great that it is beyond God’s atonement. There is no guilt so deep that Christ’s crucifixion cannot wash it away.
Use
Therefore, we are not to just be looking back to the walk we have already travelled, but we should be looking with anticipation upon the life we have entered into. Never forget that the gospel that has washed away all of your past sins is the same gospel that God has provided to help you to enter upon a war for the extermination of your present sinfulness. The grace that has abounded unto the forgiveness of your sin is the same grace that is provided to abound in restraining your sin in the present and future. Paul is now going to focus upon the phrase “we who died to sin,” in verse two. What does it mean?
Since we are dead to sin, why do we still sin? It feels like it still has power over us!
My last post may have answered your question.