Tonight we will gather to discuss Romans 6. As you prepare for tonight, look at this chapter in light of the Exodus. Paul says that we have been freed from slavery to sin through baptism. He reminds us that within this freedom we are not to yield to our passionate desires and therefore fall back into this slavery. Paul’s argument closely tracks the history of the Israelites in the Exodus. Like us, they too were delivered out of slavery into freedom through the waters of the Red Sea. 1 Cor. 10:2, 1 Peter 3:22, 1979 BCP 306. But throughout their journey, they often desired to return to slavery in Egypt when tempted. Whenever they suffered fear (Ex. 14:10-14), hunger (Ex. 16, Num. 21), thirst (Ex. 17), or idolatry (Ex. 31), they longed to return to slavery in Egypt. And like Moses, Paul’s admonition to his audience is to remind them to not yield to this desire.
Dinner is at 6. The menu is Chinese chicken spinach salad. Discussion is at 6:45. Hope to see you hear.
I am the Lord your God, who brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves; and I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect.
Leviticus 26:13