"and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves to righteousness." Romans 6:18 ESV
We have been looking at the two descriptions that Paul has laid out, one or the other applies to every single person that has ever lived: either to be a slave (willing servant) in submission to sin, or a slave (willing servant) in submission to obedience to God.
We all born as willing servants in submission to sin. We have looked at this in depth several times, as Paul did, in the early part of Romans. Our love for and bondage to sin runs deep, it plays into everything we do because it proceeds from a corrupt heart and mind - a heart and mind that love the dark and hate the light that exposes them.
If we go to Genesis 6:5 and 8:21 (among many, many other verses), we see the absolute evil of man:
"The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (6:5)
"I (the Lord) will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth..." (8:21)
BUT - Paul changed his tone in verse 17, where he addressed those who were no longer slaves to sin. He began talking specifically to those who once were slaves of sin, but had become obedient from the heart...these are the saved children of God! No longer in bondage, controlled and condemned by sin!
set free from sin...
Now, in verse 18, Paul gives us a little more depth as to what has happened to those who have become obedient from the heart...they have been set free from sin! He said the same thing in verse 7 while talking about the power of being baptized and united with Christ in death and resurrection. "For one who has died has been set free (or justified) from sin."
How were we....the ones who are described as evil from our youth, corrupt from the heart and mind, lovers of darkness and haters of light, having no desire to seek after God...how were we set free from sin?
One thing we can be sure of, it was not because of anything we did. We are not able to make a corrupt heart pure, nor are we able to renew a corrupt mind...we cannot cause regeneration. Job 14:4 speaks to this: "Who can bring a clean thing out of unclean? There is not one." Also, in 15:14, we see that man has no ability to become, or make himself, pure or righteous: "What is man, that he can be pure? Or he who is born of a woman, that he can be righteous?"
Again, we see this described in Psalm 51:5: "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me."
If we, evil men, full of pride, lovers of self, born into sinful bondage and condemnation, are unable to clean or purify ourselves, (a truth recognized by both Old and New Testament writers), how do we become this people that Paul is describing, clean and pure, set free from all of this that is in opposition to God?
We saw that Psalm 51 speaks to our need for regeneration. It also speaks very abundantly, and so powerfully, about the One who provides that regeneration...again, not us! I chose a few verses that I really love, but the entire Psalm is so beautiful, it would be good for us to read it regularly.
"Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin." vs 2
"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." vs 7
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." vs 10
We see that God is the One who cleanses us, who renews us, who regenerates us by the washing of the Holy Spirit, all through His Son. God is the One who gives us a submissive and obedient heart, who causes us to become slaves, willing servants of righteousness. We can't cause ourselves to become these things.
have become slaves of righteousness...
BUT....once God has worked His powerful miracle of regeneration within us, we are called throughout Scripture to nurture what God has created - we are commanded to live a life in submission to God. When Paul says we have become slaves of righteousness, this is both a promise and a command. A promise that God has set us free from our bondage to sin, and a command to be submissive and obedient to that which is right and good.
There is a response expected from those who, by God's grace, have been set free from sin. Look at verse 13: Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.
We have no ability within ourselves to do anything righteous. We are, however, called to submit ourselves to God so that we might become an instrument for Him to work through. This includes not partaking in sin, and continually purging/moving away from the sinful things that distract us and hinder our relationship with God. God, who will use us as His instruments for righteousness, will also give us the power to overcome sin in our lives. We need to determine if we are really submitting to Him or if we are attempting to justify the sin in our life.
The clearest, most effective way present ourselves to God as instruments, willing slaves of righteousness, to be used by God for His glory, is to spend time in His Word and in prayer. This will reveal areas that need work in our lives, and will set us free from our tainted perspective. John 8:31,32 promises this: "If you abide in my Word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
There is no other way to learn about God, to get to know Him, to know His promises, and to know the correct way we are to respond to His grace, mercy, and love, other than to seek Him through His Word. His Word reveals who He is, what He has promised, how much He loves us, how powerful His grace is, how abundant His mercy is, how we are to respond to all of this when He pours it into our lives, and what the life of a child of God that reflects God and reveals God to a lost world ought to look like. And for what purpose does all of this take place?
"....so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" Mathew 5:16
"....from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen" Romans 11:36
"....to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus, throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen" Ephesians 3:21
"....to the glory and praise of God" Philippians 1:11
As we read God's Word, it becomes so clear...this is not about us, at all. Our existence is about God, God, God. He is to be glorified in all things, and has blessed us as His children to be used by Him for His glory...is there anything else that compares to being an instrument for God? NO! So why do we fight submission? Why do we try to hold onto things for ourselves?
My challenge for all of us is to immerse ourselves in the Word and in prayer this year, with the desire to become submissive, willing obedient servants of God, in order that we might be used by Him to a greater degree, for His glory!
