Rom. 6:15-23
Paul develops the idea of slavery. In his mind we are either slaves to sin or slaves of God. The truth is we are slaves to the one we obey. If we choose to be a slave to sin, the outcome is death. But if we choose to be slaves to God, the end is eternal life. It seems as if the choice is a no-brainer. So what's the problem. Could it be that we choose life in our heads, but in our lives we tend to fall back to the flesh? Could we lamely attempt to have the best of both worlds? If so, we will be the losers. God does not share His place with anyone.
Humanly, we have naturally presented ourselves as slaves to sin, impurity, and lawlessness. Even if we were not that bad, or in fact considered ourselves a good person, we were still sinners. There was no human way to deal with the consequences of our sin. We could never actually be sin free. But thanks be to God who made the way possible. Jesus Christ set us free from sin by paying the penalty for sin Himself., and this freedom is ours! What then? We are to present ourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. Our allegiance must change. God must become preeminent! We are not freed to nothingness but freed for sanctification, for growth in the Christian life.
Before when we were sin-slaves, we were freed from righteousness, but now as God-slaves we are freed for righteousness because righteousness can only be achieved in and through Jesus Christ. We are to grow up into Him who is our head, Jesus Christ. The fruit of our freedom in Christ leads to sanctification, and its final end is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Wow! What a glorious life is given to us! All is new and different. All now is Jesus.
Father,
Thank You for not freeing me from sin and leaving me on my own. But You freed me for Yourself, for righteousness in Jesus Christ. Lord, teach me to grow in Jesus. Strengthen me to grow into sanctification. Attune my ear to hear Your Spirit every moment throughout this day.
In Jesus name,
Amen
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