Text: Isaiah 59:1-8
In the beginning, God and man had a peaceful relationship; yet man became separated from God. Why? Was God no longer able to save or hear man? No, the problem was sin – man’s sin. In our text is a description of the body of sin – that which is controlled by sin. This is not a denial or relinquishment of free will; rather, we allow sin to reign over us (cf. Romans 6:12). What does this body of sin look like? What should our bodies be for instead?
The Body Controlled by Sin (Isaiah 59:3-8)
- Parts of the body mentioned in our text – hands/fingers (v. 3, 6); lips/tongue (v. 3); feet (v. 7); thoughts (v. 7)
- When we allow our bodies to be controlled by sin, sin takes over our entire being – we practice sin, proclaim sin, pursue sin, and ponder sin
- When we allow sin into our lives in this way, we cause ourselves to be separated from God
Put Off the Body of Sin (Romans 6:6)
- Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2)
- Therefore, we are not to continue in it (Romans 6:4, 6-7, 11)
- We are servants of the one whom we obey (Romans 6:16) – there is a contrast made between sin and righteousness (cf. 1 John 3:4, 7-10)
- How do we put off the body of sin? – we obey “that form of teaching” (Romans 6:17); obedience to the gospel, culminating in baptism (Romans 6:3-7)
The Body Controlled by Righteousness (Romans 6:17-18)
- Our bodies belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:19) – presenting ourselves to him was/is our choice (Romans 12:1)
- We should strive to live righteously in all things and use our bodies as instruments of righteousness (Romans 6:12-13) – contrast between works done in His name and iniquity/lawlessness (Matthew 7:21-23); contrast between righteousness and lawlessness (1 John 3:4, 7); therefore, to practice righteousness is to do things in His name (cf. Colossians 3:17)
- Instead of using our bodies for sin, let us use our bodies for righteousness (Romans 6:12-13; Ephesians 4:17-24) – practice righteousness by engaging in good works (Ephesians 4:28; 5:3-7, 11); proclaim righteousness by speaking what is true/right, not what is corrupt (Ephesians 4:25, 29; 5:12); pursue righteousness by having spiritual aims/desires (Ephesians 4:17-20; 5:1-2, 8-10); ponder righteousness by renewing our minds to think what is pure/proper (Ephesians 4:21-24)
Conclusion
- We have a choice to make – we can serve righteousness or serve sin (Romans 6:16); we can give our bodies over to sin (Romans 6:12) or use them to glorify God (Romans 6:13; 1 Corinthians 6:20)
- We have been told the result of each choice (Romans 6:23) – sin leads to death; righteousness leads to eternal life
- Which one will we choose?
