Romans 6:15-19
Scripture (Romans 6:15-19 ESV): “What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 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? But thanks be to God, that you, having once been slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your bodies as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your bodies as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.”
The Devotion: Imagine you’re stuck in a muddy pit. Every attempt to climb out only pulls you deeper. This is a bit like our struggle with sin—trying to escape it on our own is futile. Romans 6 addresses this problem: being under grace doesn’t give us a free pass to sin. It’s not about choosing to do wrong because we know we’re forgiven. Instead, it’s about recognizing a powerful shift in our identity.
Paul uses the concept of slavery—something his audience understood well—to illustrate the fundamental transformation in that happens in the life of a Christian. Before, we were slaves to sin, trapped and unable to break free, spiraling deeper into a pit of disobedience. But now, through Christ, we’re offered freedom not to return to that pit but to serve a new master: righteousness.
This passage speaks directly to our tendency to misuse our freedom. Just as a recovering addict might struggle with the temptation to fall back into old habits, we too face the temptation to return to our sins, mistaking our freedom as a license to do as we please. But true freedom in Christ means being liberated from sin’s hold, not to return to it but to live a life that reflects our new master.
Jesus doesn’t just offer us a way out of the pit; He changes our very nature, so we no longer desire to live in it. By becoming “slaves of righteousness,” we’re not losing our freedom; we’re discovering what true freedom is—living in a way that leads to life and peace, not death and separation from God.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the freedom found in Your grace. Help me understand that being free from sin isn’t a license to do whatever I please but an invitation to serve You wholeheartedly. Teach me to embrace my new identity as a servant of righteousness, resisting the temptations that once ensnared me. May my life reflect the transformation You’ve wrought in me, serving as a beacon of Your love and grace to others. Amen.
Spiritual Challenge for the Day: Today, be intentional about recognizing moments when you’re tempted to misuse your freedom. Instead of giving in to old habits or desires, choose one way to serve others or God that reflects your new identity in Christ. Whether it’s offering a kind word, helping someone in need, or dedicating time to prayer, let your actions today be a testament to the transformative power of God’s grace in your life.