“Freed to be a Slave”
by Pastor Rich Paradis
by Pastor Rich Paradis
Romans 6:15-23
We
might be led to believe that a correct understanding of the doctrine of
justification by faith would cause people to have no moral restraints. The same
concern was in the minds of those believers that were receiving the letter to
the Roman churches. If the gift of eternal life cancels the penalty of sin in
our lives, than why do we need to “do good”? Maybe this gift does remove all
responsibility from us in regard to righteous living… or does it? Let’s look at
the text for a continued look at these questions and concerns.
I.
Another
question about law and grace Romans 6:15
a.
As
this paragraph opens, we are directed to a question that is very similar to the
one that started chapter 6. In verse 1, the question was, “Are we to continue
in sin so that grace may increase?” And in verse 15, the question is, “Shall we
sin because we are not under law but under grace?”
b.
The
question before us in verse 15 comes right on the heels of verse 14 and its
declaration of freedom because of the believer’s position by grace.
c.
Look
to the answer to the question. It is exactly the same answer that we had in for
the question of verse 1. MAY IT NEVER BE! By no means! Away with the notion!
Perish the thought! In other words, NO! NO! NO!
d.
This
grace is not license to do as we want to; it’s an avenue to do what God wants
us to do.
II.
An
illustration of this truth Romans 6:16-19
a.
Again,
verse 16 closely reflects the wording of verse 3. “Do you not know…” is the
back-up question to the ones posed in verses 1 and 15.
b.
Verse
16 does not offer a route of “not presenting” yourself as a slave to someone.
One might wonder why? The reason why there is no option other than presenting
yourself to someone as a slave is because there is no option. So there are
really only 2 options:
i.
Present
yourself as a slave to sin, resulting in death.
ii.
Present
yourself as a slave of obedience (God), resulting in righteousness.
1.
The
contrast between sin and obedience suggests that sin is by nature disobedience
to God.
c.
But
verse 17-18 tells the story for the one who has presented himself for obedience
to God. This person was a slave of sin, unable to escape its penalty and its
power. But once that person is saved, justified by faith in Christ, that person
willingly (not under force) choses obedience from the heart to the teaching of
Christ. This is sanctification… more and more of the life of the believer is
being given over willingly to the lordship of Christ. And this will continue
through the entirety of the believer’s life here on Earth. He or she is now
freed, not from the possibility, but from the power of sin in their life. They
can now follow Christ, changing masters from “master sin” to “master Jesus”.
d.
Verse
19 begins by sharing the “baggage” that comes with this illustration. Paul
understands that a discussion about freedom through slavery is difficult for
the hearers to understand. But he must use an illustration like this because of
their tendencies to sin and to misunderstanding. He continues by saying that a
pattern is set as we serve one master or the other. Serving the master of sin
causes a trajectory of continued sin. Likewise, following a trajectory of
righteousness will lead to more obedience going forward.
e.
Some
questions to consider:
i.
What
master do you serve and why?
ii.
What
things are you “on a trajectory” towards?
III.
The
result of this truth Romans 6:20-23
a.
Verse
20 reminds us of the positional change that has occurred for the one that is
now saved. Before we were saved, when we were slaves of sin, we did enjoy an
illusion of freedom. We were free from the constraints of righteousness! We
didn’t have that burden on us. We were “free” to pursue our own ways, never
understanding that we were in the ultimate of bondages.
b.
Verse
21 tells us the result of that “freedom”. There was and is no benefit to that
lifestyle…except death! They yield or the fruit of this lifestyle are shame and
death.
c.
Verse
22 tells us that in the new life, the life given over to serving Master Jesus,
there is a genuine and a wonderful benefit. As we enslave ourselves to God the
benefit is sanctification and its outcome, eternal life!
d.
Verse
23 is the 2nd verse of the “Roman’s Road” Gospel presentation. It
shares with us the contrast in lifestyle and benefit in a very clear and easy
to understand way. It says that the wage (payment) for sin is death (separation
both physically and spiritually from God). But in contrast to that lifestyle is
the 2nd of the options: the free gift of God is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord. Quite a difference in “benefit packages”, huh?
IV.
An
Application For All Of Us
a.
The
fact that we are under grace instead of law is not a license to live without
restraints and morals.
b.
As
we present our life to one of two masters, there is a real and predictable
trajectory established.
c.
The
“benefit package” for the believer far exceeds the temporary “benefit” of sin.
