Friday, April 17, 2015

Romans 6:21

"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."   Romans 6:21 ESV

We are slaves of the one whom we obey...sin or obedience. These are our two options. Both involve slavery, both involve a type of freedom.

1. If we are slaves to sin, we are 'free' in regards to righteousness...that is, we are free from the convictions of what is holy, we don't care about what offends God because we don't care about God in general.

   note: we may feel 'guilt' or be convicted over things as lost people, but these aren't fueled by the Holy Spirit, and aren't rooted in the fact that we are trespassing against a holy God. When we are slaves to sin, and free in regards to righteousness (that which is truly good), any guilt or conviction we feel is based on our upbringing, experiences, etc...what we've been told is the right thing to do, act, say.

2. If we are slaves to obedience, we are free from the bondage of sin. This means we are in a battle every day, because we are no longer free in regards to righteousness. Now we are convicted by the Holy Spirit, about things that are truly good, and do revolve around what glorifies or offends the holy God that we love and live for!

So, we have the two options - to serve sin, or obedience. Serving one means to be 'free' from the other...although serving sin only provides the illusion of freedom, while serving in obedience is the result of true freedom!  Also, they both end at two different destinations - note these are the guaranteed destinations of each option. As Paul says here in verse 21...the end of these things is death (speaking of being slaves to sin). Repeating what he said in verse 16, "sin, which leads to death." We all die physically, but if we remain slaves to sin, willingly pursing a life of sinfulness and freedom from true righteousness until death, we will experience true, eternal death and condemnation of our soul, which lives forever.

Paul refers to the 'fruit' that we get from pursuing a life of sin. Fruit in this case being that which proceeds out of, or from, the path we have chosen. Our life will produce a certain type of fruit based on the decisions we make, how we live, etc....God is sovereign, there is no doubt. However, we are accountable for our decisions, If we choose to live a life of sinful pursuits and pleasures...there is a guaranteed fruit that will be produced...that being spiritual death.

This spiritual death doesn't wait to begin until after we die, that's when it becomes eternal, with no chance of redemption or reconciliation to God. Spiritual death is also currently present and producing its fruits in the lives of those who are physically alive, but have chosen the path of serving sin. The fruits of this are evident, and they all reveal an internal void, spiritual deadness; seeking the always changing approval of man, consumed with the next rung on the ladder (there is always another), always looking for something to identify with (teams, clubs, companies, friends, culture, a movement, etc. (all of which can change or let you down in a moment), always looking for security in things that are subject to change, attempting to find enjoyment, satisfaction, or fulfillment in things that are earthly and dead - these are simply the beginning.

These things aren't all necessarily bad in themselves, but when they identify who we are above all else, when they become the things that drive what we do and why we do it, they are proceeding from sinfulness, and are described as the fruit of those who are servants to sin - consumed by their pursuit of anything other than God, the only one who is truly good!

What does Paul say about these earthly pursuits, the fruits of our sinfulness? We ought to be ashamed of them! He actually states it as though our shame of partaking of these things, and allowing them to become the things that drive us, should be a given. "the thing of which you are now ashamed."

     note: when he says you are now ashamed, he is speaking to people who are saved, who are expected to no longer be consumed with these things...this should hit us square between the eyes...are we consumed with earthly things? Do we allow these things to drive what we do and why we do it? Do we look for enjoyment, satisfaction, or fulfillment in things that are earthly and dead? If so (and I would dare say we all deal with this), we ought to be ashamed before our perfect, holy, worthy God.

This battle is raging in the life of every believer, but it's a battle with guaranteed victory! So keep fighting! God is the only One who is able, look to Him to be your enjoyment, your satisfaction, your fulfillment. Let Him be the One who drives what you do and why you do it! He has called you to this new life, let Him use you now for His glory...in that submission and humility before Him you will find true joy and true peace!

1 comment:

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