Romans is full of proof-texts favoring
holiness of life. Paul asks, 'Shall we continue in sin, that grace
may abound?' 'God forbid,' he answers. And then Paul asks a most
significant and conclusive question, 'How shall we, that are dead to
sin, live any longer therein?' Mark the words, 'dead to sin.' What
could Paul mean, except that we are to become dead to sin?

"Now, notice verse 6, please, 'Knowing this, that our old man is
crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that
henceforth we should not serve sin.' Crucifixion means death. The 'old
man,' which means the old fleshly, sinful life, is to be killed, so
that he may no longer dominate the life. Praise God!"

When Robert said these last words all in the house looked at him.
They were not used to such expressions. Robert was a little surprised
himself, as that was the first time he had ever said them. But his
heart was full of heavenly joy. He knew God saved him.

"Now, shall we notice verse 16 and down to the twentieth? We
necessarily must serve God or Satan; we yield our members, such as the
tongue or the hands, to do evil, or to do good. And to whom we yield
these members, his servants we are. This is fundamental. A person who
does right serves God; one who sins serves the devil. Nothing can be
plainer than this. Suppose we read 1 John 3:8. 'He that committeth sin
is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this
purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works
of the devil.' This is plain teaching, yet it is entirely logical.
Jesus said that no man can serve two masters. We cannot serve God and
mammon at the same time.

"And, could anything be more emphatic than these words, 'For when ye
were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness?' And these,
'But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have
your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life' (v. 22)."

Peter Newby was plainly growing restive under these words of Robert's.
He rose and said:

"I do not expect to sit here and be insulted by being called of the
devil, and so forth. There are many wise men who have expounded the
Scriptures, and they laid no claim to being saved from sin. There is a
lot for this young man to learn yet."

After this the meeting was dismissed. But there were little groups
gathering here and there, talking about the debate. Peter Newby was
rapidly losing his prestige. Most of the