Scripture Reading: Romans 6:11-14

Contrasting Sin and Righteousness

Intro.

1. Sin is real, pervasive and deadly, Rom 3:23; 6:23.

2. Righteousness is just as real; God’s counterpoint to sin, 1 Jno 5:17.

3. The gospel reveals how sinners are forgiven and become righteous before God, Rom 1:16-17 (3:21-22; 4:5; 5:19).

4. A moral and spiritual choice before us all: will we be lured by sin to the rocks of despair and death, or drawn by the calls of redemption and the righteousness of God to eternal life, Eph 4:17-19; Matt 6:33.

I. CONTRAST SIN AND RIGHTEOUSNESS: WHAT WILL WE CHOOSE? (Chart)

A. Sin is Attractive, Gen 3:6 (to the fleshly mind, 1 Pet 4:1-2).

1. Lusts of the flesh and of the eye, 1 Jno 2:16; cf. 2 Sam 11:2.

2. Sin attracts with pleasure (temporary, Heb 11:25), escape the mundane (2 Pet 2:19), indulgence (1 Tim 6:6-10), satisfaction (Jas 4:2-3).

B. Righteousness is Beautiful, 1 Chrn 16:29 (Psa 96:9; 29:2); 2 Chrn 20:21.

1. As a bride adorned for the groom, Rev 19:6-9.

2. Holiness is attractive to God (ought to be to us), Eph 5:26-27.

3. Put on the “new man” created in true righteousness, Eph 4:24.

C. Sin is Deceptive, Heb 3:13.

1. Deceives us into trusting in ourselves (Lk 18:9), 1 Cor 10:12.

2. Deceives us into thinking God’s love prevents punishment, Rom 2:4.

D. Righteousness is Honest, Blameless and Harmless, Phil 2:14-15.

1. Trait of obedience, Lk 1:6; Phil 3:6. (cf. 1 Jno 3:7)

2. Consistent with the good confession, 1 Tim 6:12-14.

E. Sin is Enslaving, Jno 8:34 (Rom 6:16; 2 Pet 2:19).

1. Enslaves the mind to the foolishness of darkness, 2 Cor 4:3-4.

2. Enslaves the body to serve corruption, Rom 1:24 (6:12-13).

F. Righteousness is Liberating, Rom 6:13.

1. Freedom from sin to serve righteousness, Rom 6:17-19.

2. Freed by Jesus via His truth, Jno 8:32, 36.

3. Liberty that instills a living hope, Gal 5:1, 5.

G. Sin Spreads, 1 Cor 5:6.

1. It influences and infects others, Gal 2:13.

2. We must recognize it and not imitate it, cf. Matt 23:3.

H. Righteous Spreads, 1 Pet 2:11-12.

1. Influence of godly lives (words/deeds – salt and light), Matt 5:14-16.

2. By gospel preaching and living, Acts 1:8; 8:4; 1 Ths 1:8.

3. Breastplate of protection, Eph 6:14.

I. Sin is Defiling, Isa 1:18 (2 Pet 2:20-22).

1. Defiles innocence with guilt (Rom 3:19).

2. Defiles purity with moral filth (Titus 1:15).

3. Defiles sound doctrine with error (Gal 1:6-7).

J. Righteousness Partakes of the Divine Nature, 2 Pet 1:4.

1. Peace, Jas 3:18.

2. Holiness, Rom 6:20-22.

Conclusion

1. Those born of God practice righteousness, 1 Jno 2:29.

2. Do not be deceived by sin, 1 Jno 3:7.

3. God sees and blesses the righteous; is against the sinful, 1 Pet 3:12.

4. So, choose righteousness and be saved, Titus 2:11-13.

SIN

RIGHTEOUSNESS

Attractive

Gen 3:6; 1 Jno 2:16; 2 Sam 11:2

Beautiful

1 Chrn 16:29; Rev 19:6-9; Eph 5:26-27

Deceptive

Heb 3:13; Lk 18:9; 1 Cor 10:12

Honest, Blameless, Harmless

Phil 2:14-15; Lk 1:6; 1 Tim 6:12-14

Enslaving

Jno 8:34; Rom 6:16; 2 Pet 2:19

Liberating

Rom 6:13, 17-19; Jn 8:32, 36; Gal 5:1, 5

Spreads

1 Cor 5:6; Gal 2:13

Spreads

1 Pet 2:11-12; Mt 5:14-16; Acts 8:4; 1 Ths 1:8

Defiling

Isa 1:18; 2 Pet 2:20-22

Divine Nature

2 Pet 1:4; Jas 3:18; Rom 6:20-22