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Scripture Reading:  Romans 6:11-14

Contrasting Sin and Righteousness

Intro.

1.  Sin is real, pervasive and deadly, Rom 3:23; 6:23.

2.  Righteousness is just as real; God’s counterpoint to sin, 1 Jno 5:17.

3.  The gospel reveals how sinners are forgiven and become righteous before God, Rom 1:16-17 (3:21-22; 4:5; 5:19).

4.  A moral and spiritual choice before us all: will we be lured by sin to the rocks of despair and death, or drawn by the calls of redemption and the righteousness of God to eternal life, Eph 4:17-19; Matt 6:33.

I.  CONTRAST SIN AND RIGHTEOUSNESS: WHAT WILL WE CHOOSE? (Chart)

  A.  Sin is Attractive, Gen 3:6 (to the fleshly mind, 1 Pet 4:1-2).

    1.  Lusts of the flesh and of the eye, 1 Jno 2:16; cf. 2 Sam 11:2.

    2.  Sin attracts with pleasure (temporary, Heb 11:25), escape the mundane (2 Pet 2:19), indulgence (1 Tim 6:6-10), satisfaction (Jas 4:2-3).

  B.  Righteousness is Beautiful, 1 Chrn 16:29 (Psa 96:9; 29:2); 2 Chrn 20:21.

    1.  As a bride adorned for the groom, Rev 19:6-9.

    2.  Holiness is attractive to God (ought to be to us), Eph 5:26-27.

    3.  Put on the “new man” created in true righteousness, Eph 4:24.

  C.  Sin is Deceptive, Heb 3:13.

    1.  Deceives us into trusting in ourselves (Lk 18:9), 1 Cor 10:12.

    2.  Deceives us into thinking God’s love prevents punishment, Rom 2:4.

  D.  Righteousness is Honest, Blameless and Harmless, Phil 2:14-15.

    1.  Trait of obedience, Lk 1:6; Phil 3:6. (cf. 1 Jno 3:7)

    2.  Consistent with the good confession, 1 Tim 6:12-14.

  E.  Sin is Enslaving, Jno 8:34 (Rom 6:16; 2 Pet 2:19).

    1.  Enslaves the mind to the foolishness of darkness, 2 Cor 4:3-4.

    2.  Enslaves the body to serve corruption, Rom 1:24 (6:12-13).

  F.  Righteousness is Liberating, Rom 6:13.

    1.  Freedom from sin to serve righteousness, Rom 6:17-19.

    2.  Freed by Jesus via His truth, Jno 8:32, 36.

    3.  Liberty that instills a living hope, Gal 5:1, 5.

  G.  Sin Spreads, 1 Cor 5:6.

    1.  It influences and infects others, Gal 2:13.

    2.  We must recognize it and not imitate it, cf. Matt 23:3.

  H.  Righteous Spreads, 1 Pet 2:11-12.

    1.  Influence of godly lives (words/deeds – salt and light), Matt 5:14-16.

    2.  By gospel preaching and living, Acts 1:8; 8:4; 1 Ths 1:8.

    3.  Breastplate of protection, Eph 6:14.

  I.  Sin is Defiling, Isa 1:18 (2 Pet 2:20-22).

    1.  Defiles innocence with guilt (Rom 3:19).

    2.  Defiles purity with moral filth (Titus 1:15).

    3.  Defiles sound doctrine with error (Gal 1:6-7).

  J.  Righteousness Partakes of the Divine Nature, 2 Pet 1:4.

    1.  Peace, Jas 3:18.

    2.  Holiness, Rom 6:20-22.

Conclusion

1.  Those born of God practice righteousness, 1 Jno 2:29.

2.  Do not be deceived by sin, 1 Jno 3:7.

3.  God sees and blesses the righteous; is against the sinful, 1 Pet 3:12.

4.  So, choose righteousness and be saved, Titus 2:11-13.