How to Think About Yourself

I. Understanding the Sin Problem in Man
A. The difference between "sins" and "sin"
1. Rom. 1-5:11 focuses on "sins" - Rom. 2:12, 25, 27; 3:20, 23-25, 4:7-8, 15
2. Rom. 5:12-8:39 focuses on "sin" - 5:12, 16, 20-21; 6:1-2, 6-7, 10-14, 16-18, 20, 22-23; 7:7-9, 11, 13-14, 17, 20, 23, 25; 8:2-3
B. The principle of dealing with "sins" and "sin"
1. "Sins" are dealt with by forgiveness through the blood of Christ - Rom. 3:25; Eph. 1:7
2. "Sin" is dealt with by deliverance through the cross - Rom. 6:6, 10-11
C. The areas of the sin problem
1. Before God under judgment with condemnation - Rom. 3:19-20; 5:16
2. Before Satan under accusation - Rom. 8:33-34; Rev. 12:9-11
3. On our conscience producing guilt - Rom. 2:15; Heb. 10:2, 22
4. In our flesh arousing and compelling us to commit sin - Rom. 6:12; 7:14, 17-20
II. Understanding God's Way of Dealing with the Sin Problem
A. Putting us under the reign (kingdom) of grace - Rom. 5:2, 15, 17, 20-21
1. By justification putting us into a state where sin is no longer imputed to us, but rather righteousness - Rom. 4:4-8; 5:1, 9, 16, 19
2. By regeneration giving us Another life and supplying us with all that we need - Rom. 5:10, 17-18, 21; 6:1-4
a) There is no abuse of grace because of Another life in us - Rom. 6:1-2
B. Putting us (baptizing us) into the very life of Jesus Christ - Rom. 6:3
1. The history and nature of the new life we are identified with and inwardly joined to - 1 Cor. 6:17; Rom. 7:4
a) A life that died to sin - Rom. 6:2, 8-9, 10-11
b) A life that is living to God - Rom. 6:4, 10-11
C. Putting us into an organic union with Him - Rom. 6:5; John 15:4-5
D. Causing us to participate in His life, and thereby breaking the power of sin in our lives
- Rom. 6:5-6
E. Liberating and justifying us from the feeling of blame from the presence of sin in our flesh - Rom. 6:7; 8:1-3
F. Causing us to reckon ourselves according to Christ's state and condition rather than our state and condition - Rom. 6:10-11