Slavery is a word that has become a word of contention in America. In the early years of our country, it was legal to own people; if you were the owner, the slave was bound to obey you. This was a terrible time in our history. No one should be allowed to own another person. We are all equal in the sight of God. He created each of us in His image. We are all one blood. We all descended from Adam. Jesus died for all sinners, of which no one is exempt. Yet, there is slavery that we are all subject to. When Adam and Eve sinned, everyone inherited their sinful nature. Therefore, all people are slaves to sin. We desire to do what is right in our own eyes. Paul deals with the issue of being a slave to sin throughout his writings, but he makes it clear in Romans 6:6-7 that as the new person in Christ, we should no longer be a slave to sin.
Romans 6:6-7 “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.”
In Romans 5, Paul shows how sin, which leads to death, entered the human race through Adam, but through Jesus, we can be freed from sin unto life. In 6:1-2 he continues his message that we don’t have to sin.
Romans 6:1-2 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”
As he continues through chapter 6, he challenges us to take advantage of our freedom in Christ. We are to crucify the flesh and not allow ourselves to obey the natural man but to yield ourselves to God for help and become the servant of God. If we are crucified, we are dead! Physical death frees us from the confines of this world. When we surrender to Christ, our rebirth frees us from sin’s power. We can access all the help we need to overcome through the Holy Spirit. In verse 13, when he states, “Neither yield your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin,” it shows that we have a choice.
Romans 6:6-7 “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.”
Romans 6:12-13 “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”
The further we go into chapter 6, the stronger Paul’s statements become to support the truth that those who have been saved will not be characterized by sin. Their lifestyle will be different. Their thinking will be different. What they love will be different. Sin will not rule over us. We are to view ourselves as servants to God. This word for servants in Greek means slave! Our allegiance changes, and we no longer are slaves to sin, but through the power of God, we become slaves to God. Our lives are not about us but about Him. This happens when we understand what Jesus did for us. We were bound for hell, a place made for the devil and his angels. Then Jesus steps in, takes our place, and makes a way for us to be redeemed and repurchased to the family of God.
Romans 6:14 “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
Romans 6:22 “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”
When someone saves a person’s life, they usually are eternally grateful to them. They celebrate them, and they want to do something for them to repay them. This is a natural response. What Jesus did for us is so much greater than anyone saving our earthly life. We should be overwhelmed and falling at His feet in thankfulness. His redemption was not just a few more years to enjoy this earth or allow us to be with our earthly family like the saving of our physical body would permit. He gave us life forever! A new life that not only brings us into His presence but grants us the privilege of being His child and giving us access to all He has forever. When this gift sinks into your soul, you will have no problem serving Him and refraining from sin. It is your choice, but you can’t have it both ways. You either surrender to Him and seek to please Him or continue to serve yourself. While no one is perfect, we should never use that as an excuse to sin. When we sin, we should feel horrible and repent so that our fellowship with Him is sweet.
I am no longer a slave to sin! Can you make this statement about your life? Examine yourself and determine how to overcome it through Christ Jesus. He will never require you to do anything that He does not empower you to do.
