Romans 6:17-18Teaching and requiring obedience to a “form” sometimes results in one being called a “legalist” or “fundamentalist”- with neither term meant in a complimentary way. But what does the Bible say about such?

First, contrast Form with ActualityHopefully, two examples will suffice:

1. Body/Dress Forms-In years past, body forms were used to make a dress. These

were shapes, in the form of a woman, mounted on a stand. They were adjustable to enable the seamstress to make dresses for women of various sizes. They would enable the seamstress to make a garment which would perfectly fit the purchaser without them having to stand there for hours while the she constructed the dress. The woman, for whom the dress was to be made, would be measured and the form adjusted to her exact size. Although identical in shape and size, the form was not and did not become the woman- a point for which the need will become clearer later.

First, contrast Form with ActualityHopefully, two examples will suffice:

2. Concrete Forms-Concrete is probably the most common material used for

foundations these days. Jesus told of those who would build on sand as opposed to rock (cf. Matt.7:24ff). The modern equivalent is concrete. But there is an interesting thing about concrete, it is a liquid- albeit usually a rather thick one. So to create a solid, level, and smooth foundation, forms must be built into which the concrete can be poured. These forms are boards built in the desired shaped of the foundation which serve as a container for the liquid concrete until it hardens. Although the form is the same size and shape of the foundation, they are not the same thing. One is a pattern, or form, for the other.

Now note the “form” teaching one must obey to be “freed from sin,” Rom.6:1-18:

The form of Jesus’ teaching:1. He was crucified, v.6; John

19:17-302. He therefore died, v.3; John

19:30-373. He was buried, v.4; John

19:38-424. He was resurrected, v.5; John

20:1-9; Matt.28:65. He is alive, vv.8-10; 8:34;

Heb.7:25

How we obey the form:1. We must crucify our old self, v.6

> Gal.2:20; 5:16-242. We must become dead to sin,

vv.2,7,11-14 > Col.3:1-93. We must be buried in baptism,

v.4 > Col.2:8-12a4. We must be resurrected, v.5 >

Col.2:12b; 3:10-115. We must live a new life, v.8 >

Col.3:12-24

So,You can be concerned about a

name someone might call you- like “legalist” or “fundamentalist.”

Or you can obey from the heart the form of Jesus’ teaching and be “freed from sin”!

Which will you choose?