Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace. 1. Man is constituted to obey! Thus constituted, his nature was provided for. Upon his first entrance on the stage of being he was placed under the dominion of holiness. But man severed himself from God. In the first act of disobedience, however, he was obedient to Satan, and at every step in his subsequent history we find him still under his dominion. 2. Man has never been able to free himself from this bondage. Philosophy has not helped him; and our text declares law has not. But we are to consider that which does. Notice — I. THE ASPECT OF SIN AS A DOMINION. 1. The willing character of it. The consciousness of humanity ever charges itself with voluntary submission to such a dominion. Moreover, the Bible declares that man chooses it. 2. Its deceitful character. Having the "understanding darkened." Satan promised our first parents to be as gods — he meant them to be the opposite. 3. Its gradual character, Like the conquest of a country, step by step new territory is won, and dominion gained in the heart of it, 4. Its cruel character. All its servants are slaves, and are led on to disaster and death. The cruelty of this dominion is seen in the increase of evil desires, and the diminution of pleasures to be derived from them; every desire ultimately ending in dissatisfaction and pain. II. THE INABILITY OF LAW TO FREE FROM THIS DOMINION. 1. Law manifests sin. "By law comes knowledge of sin." Think of the flame from the volcano revealing cities and plains in the far-off distance. So law enlightens conscience, casts its glare into the innermost recesses of the whited sepulchre, and discovers a dead soul. 2. Law causes disquietude about sin, showing its character and consequences. 3. Law revives the strength of sin (Romans 7:8). III. THE DELIVERING POWER OF GRACE. 1. The law which condemns sin is satisfied. We are delivered from sin as a curse. Christ bare our transgressions. This curse had dominion over us — made us fear death, judgment, etc. 2. "The law of the Spirit of Life" is imparted to us. "Nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." Sin may exist, but it cannot reign in the heart of a Christian. (See preceding context.) Christ has promised that this Spirit shall quicken life in us. Let us escape from the slavery of sin, and become the servants of righteousness, and "yield ourselves" unto Christ. (T. G. Horton.) Parallel Verses KJV: For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.WEB: For sin will not have dominion over you. For you are not under law, but under grace. |
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