The verse means sin—the old Adamic nature—shall not have rule or dominion over the believer, because the believer is not under law but under grace.
Les Feldick explains that 'dominion' means ruling like a king, and 'sin' refers to the old Adam or old Adamic nature. That old nature does not have to reign over a believer's life. The reason Paul gives is that the believer is not under the law but under grace — a completely different concept.
Romans 6:14 — This is the verse in question and the direct basis for understanding that sin does not have dominion because the believer is under grace.
Romans 6:14 reads: "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." This is the exact scripture Paul writes to believers. It states two facts: sin shall not have dominion, and the reason is that believers are not under law but under grace. The verse does not define 'sin' or 'dominion' within itself, but it directly answers the question by giving both the promise and the grounds for that promise.
Les Feldick teaches that 'sin' in Romans 6:14 is synonymous with 'old Adam' or 'old Adamic nature' — the sin nature that every person has. He explains that 'dominion' means ruling like a king, so the verse means the old Adamic nature does not have to rule over the believer. The reason Paul gives, Les says, is that believers are no longer under the law but under grace. Les stresses that this is a complete difference between law and grace. Being under grace means not being under the ritual, stipulations, or demands of the Law of Israel. However, he also clarifies that grace is not license; believers are not supposed to sin. He adds that while it is impossible to live sinless because old Adam constantly works against the new nature, if we keep old Adam in subjection and feed the divine nature, we can live in line with what Romans 6:14 describes.
Les says 'sin' in Romans 6:14 can be synonymously replaced with 'old Adam' or 'old Adamic nature.' He describes old Adam as something that can reign like a king, but Paul admonishes believers not to let old Adam have dominion or influence them to live for the flesh. It is the sin nature that can be crucified so that grace, God in Christ, and the Holy Spirit can reign instead.
Les explains that being 'not under the law' means no longer being under the demanding burden of the law or the ritual and stipulations of the Law of Israel. It means the law has no effect on the believer as a means of rule. Yet he is equally clear that grace is not license. Being under grace does not mean believers can sin freely; instead, it places them under a completely different concept.
Les says no — it is not possible to live sinless in this life. The old Adamic nature is constantly working on the believer to sin and often succeeds. But the verse promises that this old nature does not have to have dominion. Believers can keep old Adam in subjection and feed the new divine nature, because they are no longer under the law but under grace.
Les explicitly qualifies that being 'not under the law' does not mean casting aside the Ten Commandments. He says they are still holy, still perfect, and still the mind of God. The change is that believers are not under their demands as a rule of dominion; they are now under grace.
Justification by Faith: What Does It Really Mean?
had a class just two blocks from their home, and they were just aghast. So anyway, I've put the places on the board, Tahlequah and Wilberton and Tulsa and McAllister, along with our 800 number. So if you're interested in attending any of those, give us a call, hopefully between 8 a.m. and noon. That's when we're most apt to be around the phone, and we'll give you directions to get to our classes.
Romans 6:14 as the Clearest Place
Les points to Romans 6:14 as the clearest statement that the old Adamic nature shall not have dominion, because the believer is not under law but under grace.
Old Adam Reigning Like a King
Les explains that 'dominion' means reigning like a king, and old Adam can either reign or be crucified. He also clarifies that being not under the law still leaves the Ten Commandments holy and perfect.
Don't Let Old Adam Influence You
Les shows that Paul admonishes believers not to let old Adam have dominion or influence them to live for the flesh, because they are under grace, not law.
The Old Nature Is Dead
Les says the old Adamic nature is not going to rule the believer anymore because the believer is not under law but under grace.
Law vs. Grace Distinction
Les emphasizes the complete difference between law and grace, explaining that believers are no longer under the ritual and demands of Judaism, but that grace is not license.
Two Totally Different Concepts
Les says Romans 6:14 reveals two totally different concepts: law and grace. Being under grace is the reason sin does not have dominion.
Grace Is Not License
Les addresses the practical side: believers cannot live sinless because old Adam still works, but old Adam can be kept in subjection while the new nature is fed. Grace does not give license to sin.
Romans 6:14: For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
This is the key verse being explained; it directly states that sin will not have dominion and ties that promise to being under grace rather than law.
Les Feldick says dominion is something that rules like a king. So when Paul says sin shall not have dominion, he means the old Adamic nature does not have to rule the believer like a king.
No. Les says it is not possible to live sinless because the old Adamic nature is still working against the new nature. But the believer can keep old Adam in subjection and feed the new divine nature, so sin does not have dominion.
Les Feldick is emphatic that grace is not license. Being under grace does not mean believers have permission to sin; it means they are no longer under the demanding rule of the law.
Watch the Teaching: Justification by Faith: What Does It Really Mean?