Freed from the Tyranny of Sin
A Sermon on Romans 6:7
Originally preached Nov. 14, 1958
Scripture
7For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Sermon Description
The phrase “don't be a baby” is used in everyday language, but what does that imply? It does not mean that people should put aside their childish ways, but that they are no longer a child so they should act like an adult. In the sermon on Romans 6:7 titled “Freed from the Tyranny of Sin,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expands on his previous sermon by highlighting the same emphasis that Paul writes about in this passage. Once again, Paul is confirming that the old self has died with Christ and so the Christian has been set free from sin. They are no longer under the reign of sin and should live in accordance to this truth. Those who are in Christ are justified from the guilt of sin. Paul once again proves the assurance of salvation. While mortal bodies may still be tempted with sin, Christ’s Holy Spirit dwells within and are no longer under the rule of sin. In the final day when Christ calls the believers home to Heaven, mortal bodies will then be free of all temptation. Dr. Lloyd-Jones encourages God’s people to lift their eyes to anticipate that glorious day.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon focuses on Romans 6:7 which states "For he who has died is freed from sin." There is disagreement on how to interpret this verse.
- Some translations like the Revised Version translate the verse as "he who has died is justified from sin." This leads to the interpretation that the verse is saying all who have died with Christ have been justified from the guilt of sin.
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However, there are issues with this interpretation:
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It implies Christ was justified from sin which is never said in Scripture.
- It suggests we are justified because we died with Christ, contradicting that God justifies the ungodly.
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It reintroduces justification when Paul has moved on from that topic.
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The correct translation is "freed from sin" as in the Authorized Version and Revised Standard Version. This means once a man dies, he is outside the realm and rule of sin.
- Paul is making a general, universal statement that when any man dies, he is freed from sin's claims and power over him.
- Verses 6 and 7 together show our old man was crucified so we could be freed from sin's slavery, and any man who dies is freed from sin's power.
- The passage in 1 Peter 4:1-2 supports this, saying "he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin." This means the man who died with Christ has finished with sin.
- We should never again question our justification or salvation, even when we sin, because we have died with Christ and are freed from sin. Our sin remains only in our mortal body.
- The way to overcome depression and failure is to know we are secure in Christ. If we doubt our salvation whenever we sin, we will remain in despair.
- Paul has shown the negative aspect of being united in Christ's death. Next he will show the positive aspect of being united in Christ's resurrection.
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.