What is the positive command in Romans 6:13?
The positive command in Romans 6:13 is to yield yourself unto God as one alive from the dead, and to yield your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. It stands opposite the negative warning not to yield your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin.
Les explains that Romans 6:13 first gives the negative: do not yield your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, which he identifies as the old Adam, the old sin nature. The flip side is the positive command: yield yourselves unto God, be what God wants us to be, as those alive from the dead, and yield your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. This is not forced obedience, because God gives free will and does not take anyone by the neck to make them obey; rather, the indwelling Spirit constantly urges believers.
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
What does 'alive from the dead' mean in Romans 6:13?
Being 'alive from the dead' means the believer has been raised out of the deadness of the old Adamic nature and is now alive unto God. It describes spiritual resurrection from old Adam's dominion, enabling believers to yield themselves to God as instruments of righteousness.
What is the positive side of Romans 6:13 about yielding your members?
The positive side is to yield yourself unto God as one alive from the dead, and yield your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Instead of giving the body's functions to the old Adam or sin, the believer presents them to God to be what He wants.
More Questions
What does the word 'neither' in Romans 6:13 indicate?
The word 'neither' in Romans 6:13 is a choice word, meaning the decision is up to the believer whether old Adam is kept under subjection and Christ and His Spirit reign, or old Adam is given free reign.