Bible Question: List the four responses in verse 12-13 Romans.What are the two prohibitive and two positive? Could you give specific examples of how sins of the body are to be refused and some examples of how one offer one's body to Gos. |
Bible Answer: Dear HEIS, "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness." (Romans 6:12-13 ESV) You asked, "What are the two prohibitive...?" (1) "Let not sin reign in your mortal bodies..." (2) "Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness..." You asked, "...two positive?" (1) "...but present yourselves to God to God as those who have been brought from death to life" (2) "... [present] your members to God as instruments for righteousness." This is about any and all sin, not simply "sins of the body." Because of what God has done (see Romans 6:3-10) we are to live as though that is true; for it is, indeed, true! Paul tells us to accept this truth (verse 11). In otherwise, to take this truth into account in everything we do. Verses 12 and 13 are an explanation of how that is walked out. Since we are "dead to sin," we shouldn't act like people alive to sin. Since we are alive to God, we shouldn't act like people dead to God. Picture it this way: How does a corpse respond to temptation? You asked, "Could you give specific examples of how sins of the body are to be refused...?" Yes, but I'd suggest that you think about it in your own context. When did you last sin? Thinking about that, imagine what it would have been like had you not sinned? Your members include your eyes, your feet, your hands, your mind, etc. Each are to be used for righteousness. It is abnormal for a regenerate person to use them otherwise. You asked, "...and some examples of how one offer one's body to God?" This not saying simply to offer our body, or simply the parts of our bodies, but everything that we are. I often quote my pastor who has said that the evidence of the internal truth is always manifested externally. He often says that it effects "our hearts, our heads, our hands, and our habits." Therefore, imagine a man utterly given over to God. We have the example of our Lord Jesus. Furthermore, He has given us a careful outline of what that kind of person "looks" like (see post #153858). Now, looking into that mirror of the Word, compare that to yourself. Summing up, I'd say, if it is true that you are dead to sin, then act dead to sin. If it is true that you are born of God, act like a child of God. The Scripture asserts that these things are true, but it always encourages us to exert diligent, continuous effort to walk them out as true. I hope that helps. In Him, Doc |