Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

The title of our group study on Romans is Deeper into scripture: Romans. Just how deep are you willing to explore? Children stand in the shallows looking down to see what they can touch with their feet. As they grow up they may put on a mask and float on the surface in the shallows, seeing in more depth. Put on fins, take a deep breath and spear. You might be successful at spearing a flounder and bringing it up for all to see. Everyone can see what you have accomplished.

Are you willing to get into the deep where holding your breath is no longer an option? Will you need scuba gear, a mini-sub, or a bathysphere? How seriously do you seek the deeper things of God?

Today I will stand upon the shore as a child and see what I can stir up with my feet and uncover. No depth, no holding my breath, no special equipment required. I will do so using this opening verse. I look at it, kick it around a little bit and see what it looks like as the sand settles back down.

Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Just as we see in Romans 4:25 what Christ has done for us and then the end result, Romans 6:4 says the same thing with greater detail. It is a one to one comparison, the same thing only in greater detail. It is like a child seeing a sand dollar at the shores edge and using the water to wash away the sand to get a better look at what is found.

The bible explains itself in greater detail if you look for these one to one comparisons.

Romans 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

It is not that He cannot, it is that He will not. Exactly what is it that the Lord denies doing and why? The object is sin and the verb is impute. While looking up the Old Testament definition of impute I found the earliest use was in Genesis 2:8 when God put the man in the garden. It is also used in conjunction with putting a man in prison.

The boarder meaning is used to plants ones seed, as in to father a child. It is also used in context to plant fruit bearing trees. So how does this relate to Romans 4:8?

Romans 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

One can only grow what has been planted.

Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

2 Corinthians 9:10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;

Philippians 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Matthew 7:19-20 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Romans 5:13 For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

You are imputed grace not law, so sin is cannot take root.