Freedom of Righteousness

Romans 6:15-23.

Todays Study presents us with a profound exploration of Christian freedom. Once we've been saved by grace, are we free to continue in sin?

The answer might surprise those who haven't fully grasped the depth of transformation that salvation brings.

The Apostle Paul doesn't shy away from this challenging question.

Instead, he tackles it head-on with language that, while rooted in his cultural context, speaks powerfully to us today.

His message is clear: true freedom isn't found in the absence of rules, but in the presence of God's righteousness actively working in our lives.

The idea of using slaves as an object lesson, in the Apostles day, was not at all appalling, as it would seem in todays world.

Paul does not linger on the idea, but offer benefits of living- Not as slaves, but rather, in the light of God and His righteousness.

Paul expands on this by adding the concept of how our daily choices effect our daily living...

As the only way to firmly embrace God’s grace and life giving righteousness- and loosening the grip of sin on our lives, forever.

We, as believers, have access to the greatest gift ever- The ability to choose NOT to sin.

Instead of being driven by personal lust and desires to sin without even thinking about it- Without conscious...

The reality is this-

True freedom is not found in just not sinning-

In the days of ancient Rome, citizens were granted certain freedoms, but within those freedoms came responsibilities.

Christians lived amidst this chaos and had the choice to either conform to the sinful practices of the empire or stand firm in their faith.

Paul wrote in Romans 6:14 that we are not under the law but under grace, highlighting the profound freedom we have in Christ to choose righteousness over sin.

This encourages us to reflect on our own choices amidst a morally enigmatic, confused and double-minded world.

Freedom is found in the freedom and presence of God’s righteousness. Finding eternal peace in God’s eternal presence active in our lives.

As followers of Christ, we have the ability to choose...

1- The Power of Choice

Romans 6:15–17 ESV

What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,

Paul’s carefully crafted debate leads us to one of the most prominent Questions of All Time.

“Since the penalty of sin has been removed- What then, stops us from continuing to sin?”

How each of us respond to this question, has far more direct impact on us than we realize.

The choices are not difficult to understand-

Bow to sin or bow to God.

Allow the Grace, Mercy and Righteousness of God to be our guide-

Or be led by our own selfish desires and bound over to sin and death.

Using the Allegory of the bondage of slavery, Paul lays out the options clearly and concisely.

A modern misunderstanding of the text has really muddied the waters in Paul’s teaching here.

It has become common to accept that, having accepted Christ, that sin would die away and all one has to do is serve God.

Though not always an easy road, it was accepted that the bumps in the road would not sever or long lasting.

BUT that is not what Paul has in mind here, at all.

Apostle Paul NEVER says that sin is dead.

His point is that WE are to CONSIDER OURSELVES dead to sin.

The difference is huge- And we must grasp it, if we are to live triumphant lives for Christ.

God never promises that sin will never reign in us- He calls each of us to CONTROL ourselves and not bend to sinful desires.

This is where we have the power of choice.

Paul even encourages his audience to look back at their past lives.

Our natural tendency is to fall back into old bad habits- After all, they are known and familiar. They are also a trap.

So the choice really is ours to make-

Stay a slave to sin, leading to physical AND spiritual death.

Or live in obedience of Faith and Righteousness of God, which, even in physical death, will lead us spiritually to Eternal Life in Christ.

To echo the Apostle, “Thanks be to God...” that we even have the opportunity to make the choice.

Considering that- There is no reason to not make the choice to live in God’s great grace, mercy and forgiveness.

2- The Choice of Freedom

So lets look back at verse 17 once again...

Romans 6:17 ESV

But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,

Romans 6:18–20 ESV

and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

Paul understands that, even the best of examples, or allegories, break down at some point.

So, in continuing with the slave versus Righteous example, Paul lets them know, he is keeping it simple here, because it is what they understand.

We must also understand that, as abhorrent the thought of slavery is the modern mindset...It is important that in Paul’s time, up to forty percent of the population was enslaved, indentured or subservient to others in some form or fashion.

It was a common experience and often a means of survival for many of that day.

It also made for a very powerful and easily understood illustration for the people to grasp.

Paul challenges his readers to NOW actively pursue Righteousness that leads to sanctification with the same vigor they once chased after impurity and lawlessness, which only led to more lawlessness.

And Paul IS the perfect-God Chosen- example for us

The Apostle Paul's transformation from Saul to Paul embodies the power of choice influenced by divine intervention.

Initially, he persecuted Christians, believing he was doing right by the Law. However, his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus changed everything.

He chose to follow Christ, turning away from his previous life of sin. This powerful shift illustrates the freedom we have to choose immediate obedience to God’s calling, leaving behind the bondage of sin for a life of grace.

Making the conscious choice to submit to God’s guiding, by the Holy Spirit, is where we find true freedom.

The longer we remain truly submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit, the less influence the evils of this world will have on us.

Will that influence ever be gone completely? Not in this life, which is why it is still a daily struggle...

But as Jesus reminded His Disciples, “Fear not, For I have overcome the world.”

3- The Choice of Eternal Life

Romans 6:21–23 ESV

But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The biblical story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden illustrates the tension of choice.

They had perfect communion with God but faced the temptation to disobey. When they chose to eat the forbidden fruit, it brought sin into the world.

God’s gift of free will is a significant theme that shows us how our choices matter deeply and can impact our lives and our relationship with Him, reminding us to choose wisely between freedom and bondage.

All choices have consequences- There is no escaping this fact.

Society, today, wants all the freedom of making our own choices, being our own boss...

But without the consequences that come from those choices.

And the math is simple-

Bad choices equal bad consequences

Uninformed choices are almost as bad and lead to equally bad consequences.

Making solid, informed and righteous choices lead to equally righteous results.

Consider the lives of the early church martyrs who faced the choice to recant their faith or endure persecution.

They chose to uphold their beliefs in the face of great danger.

For instance, Polycarp, an early bishop, famously declared, 'Eighty-six years I have served Him, and He never did me any harm. How then can I blaspheme my King who saved me?'

Their courage highlights the theme of genuine freedom found in choosing faithfulness over sin, even when it leads to suffering.

In Deuteronomy 30:19, Moses challenges the Israelites to choose life or death, blessings or curses.

This call emphasizes the gravity of decision-making in our spiritual journey. The Israelites had the freedom to accept God’s guidance or go their own way, a choice that carries eternal significance.

As modern-day believers, we too are faced with daily decisions that shape our character and future.

The freedom to choose is indeed a gift, but it comes with the responsibility of choosing wisely.

Paul concludes this section with one of the most memorized verses in Scripture-

Often quoted, but still not understood in its totality by most Believers.

Romans 6:23 ESV

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

Paul’s final answer to his question posed earlier is simple.

He asks his audience to pause and consider...

Consider the “wages” being earned based on their/our choices in life.

A lived lived and devoted to service for God, leads directly to eternal life.

The alternative is a life lived in blatant rebellion against God and shackled in sin.

Paul’s challenge is to devote our lives to invest in a life that will pay the dividend God has prepared and intended for each of us.