From Slaves of Sin to Slaves of God
15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.
20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Carrying from yesterday, Paul references our relationship with Jesus as that of a slave and his Master. Whether we are to be slaves to our sinful desires, or slaves to Jesus who has purchased us on the cross, we are slaves of whomever we call our master. If you’ve not been purchased by Christ, then you are a slave to your desires and you will live continually in that sin until you die in it and are judged accordingly. Thankfully, when you were still an enemy of God in your servitude to your own wants and desires, God had mercy on you and your sins were paid for on the cross. Even when you were in direct opposition to Jesus, He still paid the price for your sins – bearing the full wrath of God in your place. Now, that you have been purchased, and once you have surrendered your life over to His control, you are are His slave – sworn to do His work from here forward in whatever He has called you to do. Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. Abstain from doing the things you did before because you are not only no longer bound to to them (as you were before) but because you are bringing dishonor to God when you do. Set your eyes on Jesus and do all things, even things done at home, in private, at work, or with family, to bring God the most glory and honor. Our just reward for walking in our sins is damnation in hell forever. God’s gift to us, through His Son’s sacrifice on our behalf, is eternal life in Christ Jesus.