Are we to continue to sin?

I lifted this from a series of articles I wrote and sent out as my first good-newsletter — Grace Notes — in 1998. The series is called Licensed to Sin

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase?Romans 6:1

If ever there was a question that provoked controversy about freedom, if ever there was a question that stirred up fear regarding grace, this is it! I have seen Christians react to this verse as if it was anathema to the very concept of grace, a wet blanket thrown on the fire of freedom! And, of course, there are those who make it their ministry to stifle these live-as-you-please Christians by quoting this verse with its negative answer. Why do you think Paul would interject a question such as this in the middle of his presentation of the good news of Jesus Christ? Didn't he know how destructive many would regard it to the very grace that he proclaimed? First of all, I challenge the thinking that a simple NO is a good answer to his question. After all, it is not how he answered it. Why do we? I wonder if we even understand the QUESTION. I doubt we even know WHY he asked it. This is not the first time Paul presented a question like this in the letter. This is the fourth (with 4 MORE after it) that is answered by the same Greek phrase, me genoito, translated, "God forbid" (KJV), "May it never be" (NASB), "Not at all", "By no means", or "Certainly not" (NIV).

What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, "That Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and mightest prevail when Thou art judged. Romans 3:3-4

But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.) May it never be! For otherwise how will God judge the world? Romans 3:5-6

Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law. Romans 3:31

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Romans 6:1-2

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! Do you not know ... Romans 6:15

What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! For He says to Moses ... Romans 9:14

I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. Romans 11:1

I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.Romans 11:11

Okay, so what? Well, Paul was a master of human logic and reasoning (Pharisees were really good at that). Add to this that God gave Paul more revelation of Christ than anyone else. Logic and revelation? Screeech! Crash! Bang! If there was ever a man to have debated his own deep-seated logic against the revelation of Christ it was Paul. And Romans reflects the predictable arguments of the natural mind. The questions represent our own objections very well.

Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase?Romans 6:1

What's behind the question? A look at Romans 5:20-21 provides a pretty good idea.

And the Law came in that the transgression might increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.Romans 5:20-21

Hold the phone ... is he saying that the law was designed to bring more sin? Don't miss this, for there was only one transgression before the Law was given to Moses as far as God was concerned: the disobedience of Adam. Remember? He broke the only specific command God gave. But later - through the insertion of the Law - the one transgression became many transgressions, because there were many laws to break! The flesh quivers in reaction. More laws = more sins? And then, contrary to popular religious belief that more obedience brings more grace, Paul shocks us again. Because he said God gives more grace where there is more sin! No wonder people often denounced Paul as teaching "Let us do evil that good may come! (Rom. 3:8)" But what else can the natural mind make of such an idea?

Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase?Romans 6:1

The question exposes the natural mind's inability to understand God's grace. It expresses man's collective Yeah, BUT... to that which is incompatible to its own logic. For it flies in the face of every reasonable expectation or assumption of fairness and rightness - especially that written by the finger of God. Whether asked in fear or with an attitude of smugness the question rests upon the basic demand that God could not possibly give more grace where there is more sin ... at least not without violating one of his own virtues or leaving us exposed to the dangers of living under such a grace. Call it what you will it is a fleshly question, but there is immense value in considering it. For it is the same one that pops up again and again in our minds as we are hit with another insight into the good news. As God exposes this reasoning we either own it and see it afresh ... or we fight it and spin our wheels in the fleshly wisdom. With the skill of a professional, Paul had his hearers where he wanted them. But he was ready to take them beyond the logic that will never understand what really happened when Christ died. More law = more sin? More sin = more grace? Does more grace = more sin? Then sin more = more grace? That's logical. That's rational. That's natural reasoning! Are you ready to go beyond the reasoning you were born with?