Romans 6,7 & the first bit of 8 Part1

Introduction/ prelude/groundwork

There are three theological words that we don't need to know how to spell or really remember but what they describe is important to understand. These words are:

Justification
Sanctification
Glorification

What these three words are used to describe in order is

Justification, we have been saved
Sanctification, we are being put right
Glorification, we will one day be put completely right when we are with the Lord.

The bit before Chapter six, i.e. the previous chapters, have been talking about Justification, that is, how the work of Jesus and that alone has brought us salvation. Romans 5:18 is the conclusion/ summing up, of that:

"18So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 19For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous." Romans 5:18-19

Most of us have no problem with knowing we are saved; we have wrestled with that already. Most have little or no problem with where we are going and what will happen when we get there! What we generally have a problem with is what we should be doing while we are here! That is, our sanctification. How does that work, is it a case of - if I don't smoke or fornicate I'm ok?!

Chapters 6,7 and 8 deal with the this whole issue of sanctification. They can seem very complicated but they aren't that bad really. They have been made bad by a lot of theologians and Bible teachers. I have looked at these for a long time and hopefully they will become very clear. Really clear. The kind of clear that would impress a double glazing salesman!