“…you have been set free…” Romans 6:18a

Paul continued in his discussion on the issue of sin with a follow-up question similar to the first (see 6:1), when he asked: “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace?” (v.15a) He answered his own question once again by simply stating: “By no means!” (v.15b)

Then Paul posed another question: “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey – whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?” (v.16) God breathed into Paul what has been divinely known since the fall of man: we are either owned by sin or righteousness. We are either dead in our sin – unresponsive to the goodness and love of God, or we are alive to Christ to be conduits of His love and goodness.

Again, Paul answered his own question. However, this answer was an encouraging word to the Believers in Rome, while also being a moment of worship: “But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” (v.17)

There are times in the life of Believers when one needs encouragement to press on, as well as truth to stand upon. This world will abuse, ridicule, and belittle those called to Christ, and after enduring such treatment, there may be those who deserve and need that extra compassion from their fellow Believers. While the Holy Spirit is ever present to offer comfort, teaching and leading, He is also prompting other Faith-walkers to come along side those wounded by those in sheep’s clothing, as well as those in direct opposition to God’s kingdom.

Perhaps we should ask ourselves if we are actually slaves to righteousness. What about our living is evidence of being owned by God? Conversely, is there still evidence in our living that would support being owned by sin? Paul knew the struggle of breaking free from an old system that did not work. He knew all too well about the inner conflict the Roman Christians were experiencing, and God was using Paul to lead these new Christians away from the gamble of licentiousness and into the security of the heavenly deposit of righteous living. All around them, the Roman Christian was tested with idolatry, prostitution, entertainment, and corruption. Their world was one which, like today, marginalized those who do not conform to the pattern of the world. It’s a system which makes it quite difficult to break free.

YOU HAVE BEEN SET FREE from sin and the pattern of this world to be slaves to righteousness. In his letters, Paul frequently referred to himself as a slave to righteousness, using the Greek word, DOULOS, which is literally translated, “slave”. Paul is not the only one who identified himself as a slave to righteousness. James, Peter, Jude, and John identified with the title as well. The word is used at least forty times in the New Testament to describe Believers. Believe it or not, the Hebrew equivalent is used over two hundred and fifty times! Slaves belong to their masters (1 Corinthians 6:19-20); slaves are expected to give complete submission and devotion to the owner; the slave is totally dependent upon his/her master; and the slave is  personally accountable to his/her master. (adapted from John McArthur’s book, Slave)

Slaves, then, do not live as one who lives with complete autonomy. We may like the song, “I did it My Way”, but as Christians we are not the masters of our destiny. The Christian life is totally directed and ruled by Christ: “…no one can serve two master; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.” (Matthew 6:24) Those who walk by faith are entirely dependent on God to lead and provide (Matthew 5:3; 1 Peter 4:11), making the Faith-walker to serve Christ without any impediment of need.

In Roman days, it was a great honor to be a slave to Caesar – to be affiliated with the ruler of an empire. Though known as a slave, it was to whom he/she belonged that gave the slave status. It is the same way for a Christian. John McArthur drew this conclusion of Christians being slaves was:

“…not only an affirmation of their complete submission to The Master; it was also a declaration of the privileged position every Christian enjoys by being associated with the Lord. No affiliation could be greater than that.” (Ibid, p.97)

Paul pointed to Jesus Who took on the identity of a slave (Philippians 2:7) by submitting Himself, even unto death upon a cross. He did not expect anything from His followers that He Himself was not willing to experience. His death upon the cross liberated all who are owned by sin. Indeed, you have been set free to become slaves of the King of Kings… our benevolent Friend that sticks closer than a brother, our Redeemer and Savior!

To whom do you belong?