A Life of Slavery - Romans 6:15-23
A Life of Slavery Romans 6:15-23
Which Master?
We are all slaves, but there are only two masters, and we can only serve one. Matthew 6:24
We are all born as slaves to sin. Romans 3:23, John 3:19-20
Just because you do good things, that doesn’t automatically indicate that you are a servant of righteousness.
There are countless people, who we would consider to be really nice, who are on their way to eternal torment. Isaiah 64:6
If you are working for your salvation, then you are a slave to sin. Even your good deeds are filth in the sight of God. Salvation is something that only God can do for us. Our salvation is found in Christ alone.
Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:8-9
Satan is a terrible master, hating us and desiring that we should spend eternity in torment. 2 Corinthians 4
Slaves to sin deceive themselves. They don’t usually see themselves as slaves to sin. 1 John 1:8
Slaves to sin are not always obvious; they might go to church every week. Some have positions of authority. Some stand in pulpits and speak about God. But Jesus said,
Matthew 7:22 “On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
In old Israel, if a Jew got into a debt that they couldn’t repay, they could become a slave. They lost their independence, but the debt was forgiven, and they would be cared for by their master. They would serve for six years, but on the seventh year, they would have to be set free.
But then we read in Deuteronomy 15-
Deuteronomy 15:16 But if he (the slave) says to you, ‘I will not go out from you,’ because he loves you and your household, since he is well-off with you, 17 then you shall take an awl, and put it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your slave forever.
A slave like this was marked for life as belonging to the master he loved.
See also Leviticus 25:35-55, Exodus 21:2-6, Exodus 21:16
We cannot repay the debt that we owe to God, but Jesus paid our debt when he was crucified on our behalf. Believers are marked for life as belonging to the Lord. We have said to God, “I will not go out from you, because I love you. I am better off with you.”
The believer’s struggle with sin
When we have been saved, we still struggle with sin. Paul also struggled with sin. Romans 7:21-25
Someday, we will no longer have this struggle. Until then, we can rest assured that when we do err, our sin is washed away by the blood of our Lord Jesus.
Paul taught that we are saved by grace. But when Paul was writing this letter, there were those in the church who thought that “If we are saved by grace, then we can do whatever we want, and it’ll be alright. (hyper-grace).
Romans 6:15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 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?
Being obedient slaves
An obedient slave is someone who seeks to please their master. Do you see yourself as a slave to God?
The servant of sin can’t help but sin. Even the good he does is counted to him as sin. When we are saved from sin, God then gives us the ability to resist sin. 1 Corinthians 10:13
But just because we have the ability to resist sin, that doesn’t mean we always do resist it.
Baptism represents the desires of the flesh being put to death.
Galatians 5:24, Colossians 3:5
This isn’t just something we do just once then forget it. Luke 9:23
Strategies for avoiding sin.
1. Stay away from temptation.
If possible, don’t put yourself into a situation where you will be tempted. The internet is probably the biggest source of temptation we face in our age. What kind of content are you looking at? How much of it is honouring God? How much time are you wasting?
2. Guard your thoughts.
Mark 7:20-23, 1 John 3:15, Matt 5:27-28
When we cultivate evil thoughts, they become manifest in our actions. James 1:14
Discipline your mind. Philippians 4:8-9
3. Bible reading –
2 Timothy 3:16-17
The bible is full of history about people who have got it wrong. We can learn from their mistakes. If you’re not reading your bible every day, then get in the habit. Jay posts the wrap ups on our web site every week day. It’s also on the Chuwar Baptist Devotions face book page. It’s a couple of chapters at a time. If you struggle with that, then read one chapter a day. Just get in the habit.
4. Meeting together –
Hebrews 10:24-25
God wants us to meet together regularly. Being accountable. Looking out for each other. Encouraging each other.
5. Serving God-
Ephesians 2:10
If we’re not serving God, then Satan has us where he wants us. If he can’t make us reject God, then he’s happy for us to just be idle.
6. Prayer-
When Jesus taught us how to pray, part of that prayer is
“Matt 6:13 … lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
Pray regularly; every day. Put time aside; pray honestly and earnestly.
Conclusion
“We do not become righteous by doing righteous deeds, but, having been made righteous we do righteous deeds.” - Martin Luther
Romans 6:22 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. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
If you are already a servant of the most high God, you are a slave to righteousness. Give thanks to God for what he has done for you, and what he is doing in you, and serve him faithfully.
Don’t be a slave to sin. Be a servant of Jesus. He is a good and merciful master. He has shown the greatest love for us. Matthew 11:28-30
Who is your master? Joshua 24:15