Slave of God or Slave of Sin: We all Serve Something

Introduction

Me

You

Romans 6:15-23

Romans 6:15–23 CSB

15 What then? Should we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? Absolutely not! 16 Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of that one you obey—either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But thank God that, although you used to be slaves of sin, you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching to which you were handed over, 18 and having been set free from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness. 19 I am using a human analogy because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you offered the parts of yourselves as slaves to impurity, and to greater and greater lawlessness, so now offer them as slaves to righteousness, which results in sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free with regard to righteousness. 21 So what fruit was produced then from the things you are now ashamed of? The outcome of those things is death. 22 But now, since you have been set free from sin and have become enslaved to God, you have your fruit, which results in sanctification—and the outcome is eternal life! 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is the second half of the chapter and it really serves as an illustration for the first half.

In 6:1-14 Paul teaches that the gospel frees the believer from the power of sin when the believer reckons himself or herself dead to sin and raised to a new life of righteousness.

Romans 6:13 “13 And do not offer any parts of it to sin as weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness.” part of your body is offered to God as instruments of righteousness.

Slavery

So Paul illustrates that with Slavery.

As I mention that word we must admit that we have biases when it comes to that word. We see it only through the modern transatlantic slavery. Black and White being a political term used to push one group of people against another. The effects of which still present themselves in a very real way.

As we read that view however we must not see that as what Paul is talking about because it is not what he would have thought about. The Transatlantic trade hadn’t happened yet.

Paul seems to be against slavery all together but living in a world that it doesn’t exist legally would have been such a foreign thing. I don’t think he could even picture it.

Slavery was very common in Rome. It has been estimated that perhaps the majority of the population of Rome at that time was comprised of slaves of one sort or the other. Many in the assembly of Christians in Rome would have been Slaves.

They would either be slaves against their will, such as prisoners of war, or voluntary slaves, such as a household slave/servant who indentured themselves to a household for the purpose of survival or welfare (they didn’t have free welfare like the US does).

Paul states that everyone is born a “slave to sin” without a choice of will. in this way Sin is a personified king that reigns over people.

Regardless of who you offer yourself to, you become a slave of the one you serve. If I offer myself to God, but obey sin, then I am a slave of sin, not of God.

Being a slave a servant of this personified king of your life called sin, leads to death.

On the other hand if you are a slave of righteousness it leads to life.

Interesting enough is you don’t have a choice. Serving one or the other. You may say I want to be no slave. The reality is we all serve something.

Serve self

Serve science

Serve philosophy

Serve your job

Social Media

Social norms

We all serve something. Of Course Paul Doesn’t end with you being a slave, wait till chapter 8

Today’s Temptations

In Today’s modern world, even mature believers can be tempted to think there are benefits in the life of slavery to sin. You would never say it that way but you be tempted. Think about it at any given moment the wicked appear prosperous, have less struggles, be healthy and strong, to be free from the burdens common to man

as Ps 73:5 puts it

Psalm 73:5 CSB

5 They are not in trouble like others; they are not afflicted like most people.

They are fee to increase wealth.

Yes you know that temptation.

But the Psalmist knows Psalm 73:23-26

Psalm 73:23–26 CSB

23 Yet I am always with you; you hold my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me up in glory. 25 Who do I have in heaven but you? And I desire nothing on earth but you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever.

Paul knows

Romans 6:23 CSB

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We have earned death as our wages as Adam’s children; we have received as a gift of God’s grace the privilege of being rescued from solidarity with the first Adam to solidarity with the second Adam. He died; we died. He was raised; we were raised. He lives to God; we live to God. He will live forever; we will live forever with him.

Next Steps

What differences are there (the difference between wickedness and righteousness) in my life since coming to know Christ?

Do I use the words “I can’t help myself” in describing my sin (or allow others whom I am counseling to use them)?

Am I content with pursuing holiness, or do I envy the wicked?

Have I thanked God today for the gift of eternal life that he has provided in Jesus Christ?

Bibliography

Boa, Kenneth, and William Kruidenier. Romans. Vol. 6 of Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000.

W., Jackson. Reading Romans with Eastern Eyes: Honor and Shame in Paul’s Message and Mission. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2019.

Questions

Why does the preacher highlight the commonality of slavery in Rome while discussing the concept of being a slave to sin?

According to the sermon, what are the consequences of being a slave to righteousness versus being a slave to sin?

What differences can you identify in your life since coming to know Christ, particularly in terms of the contrast between wickedness and righteousness?

How does the preacher explain the idea that everyone serves something, even if they don't consider themselves as slaves?

Are you content with pursuing holiness in your life, or do you find yourself envying the lifestyles of those who may seem prosperous but not following God?

Have you taken a moment today to thank God for the gift of eternal life provided through Jesus Christ? How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude in your daily life?

How can you remind yourself daily of the freedom and life found in being a servant of righteousness, as opposed to the death that comes with being a slave to sin?

Considering the temptations mentioned in the sermon, how can you guard your heart and mind against the allure of worldly benefits and instead cherish the true riches of life with God?