Romans 6-8 has always given me plenty to think about. This passage didn't let me down. Being a slave is as human a term as Paul could get when it comes to understanding our relationship to righteousness. I really see why terms like discipline, training, slavery, disciple, the way, and many others have such prominence in the Bible. Our bodies, when "slaves" to sin, form sinful habits. Those habits have to be broken. Our bodies have to be "reprogrammed" by the renewing of our mind (hence the new life offered my Christ). This has to happen if we are to lead lives of obedience that lead to holiness.
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Romans 6:15 (NIV)Paul once again poses the question as to whether we should keep on sinning since we are under grace. And again the answer is still no. Our natural sin-born tendency is to continue in sin and let grace take care of it. Unfortunately, that is not what grace is for (or should I say fortunately). Grace separates us from slavery to sin. Grace squashes the power of that sin has over our lives. Grace enables us to live in righteousness or to live in a way so that we do the right things that honor God (v.16-18).
We have to muster up the decision to follow wholeheartedly the teachings of the Bible. We are not to pick and choose which Scripture fits our lifestyle! We are either slaves to sin which leads to death, or we are slaves to righteousness which leads to holiness. God sets us free from sin so we can do without it. But staying free takes purposeful steps on our part to be a follower of Christ. We must wholeheartedly obey the teachings of the Bible.
The problem with being slaves to sin is found not in acting out major sins but in recognizing that all sin is fatal. If we sin with our hands, our whole body is guilty (since when have your hands ever acted on their own - if they do there is therapy for that). "But Jesus said to cleanse the guilty parts" some may say. Jesus was speaking of salvation. We do not start our Christian journey from the beginning if we sin. We ask for forgiveness, assured of God's grace, and we move on. We avoid sin!
What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! Romans 6:21 (NIV)Paul is speaking to particular habits that overwhelm us when we are slaves to sin. Habits that led to sin in the past can still lead to sin in the present. That fact does not change when we receive Christ as our Savior. Habits have to be changed! We have to break free from those habits utilizing the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. God's grace sets us free. We have to engage in new life habits that lead to holiness (v.19).
Righteousness becomes our rudder which we use to steer through the storms that come with life. As slaves to sin, righteousness has no control. We spin helplessly out of control into murky waters without guidance (v. 20). Sinful habits do not benefit us. Those habits lead to death both spiritually and physically. But by God's grace (when we receive it), we are free from sin's claim to our life.
Grace benefits us and leads us to holiness which leads to eternal life. God has sent His Son to bestow upon us a free gift. It is a gift that eclipses anything our brief stay upon this world has to offer. This gift through Jesus is eternal. As followers, why would we want to mess that up by continuing in sin? As unbelievers, why would they ignore the benefits of grace just to maintain their slavery to sin's control? As for me and my house, I choose grace.
- What specifically intrigues you about this passage?
- Have you ever found yourself trying to pick and choose which verse of Scripture you wanted to follow? What were the results?
- How has living a life of righteousness (not being right-ness) steered you through tough times?
- God said to be holy. How do you view holiness? Is it something worth striving for? Why or why not?
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