How To Be Free In Life
The biggest black mark in American history was when slavery was legal. It was a time when people owned other people for the purpose of forced labor. Fortunately, slavery was abolished and those living a life of bondage became free.
There is a different type of slavery that has people in bondage today. It’s called slavery to sin. Paul tells us in Romans how we can live a life free from the slavery of sin.
Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living. Romans 6:17-18
Slavery existed before Moses was born. The Israelites were forced to make bricks and build cities for the Egyptians. American slaves were forced to work in the fields and do whatever else the slave master made them do.
Slavery of Sin
The slave master of sin operates in just a little different manner. It offers us things that aren’t good for us. Things that we can’t resist. I’m sure you’ve heard someone say something like this before, “I know I shouldn’t do this but . . .” Maybe you’ve even said it.
Sin leads us to do things that make us feel good, regardless of how we make others feel. An example is how sin presses people to seek prosperity. There is nothing wrong with that in and of itself. Sin’s influence though can cause a monster within us so we’ll walk over others to get it.
Sin will also try to override our consciences. It will guilt us into doing what we know is wrong. Sin works to convince us that we need to take care of ourselves no matter what. The worst part about sin is we can’t beat it on our own. We are in its bondage.
Our verse for today tells us how we can be free from the slavery of sin. It says once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. What teaching? The Word of God! All the things that Paul was teaching them are now a part of the bigger picture called the Bible.
A Life Free from Sin
Freedom from sin comes from obedience to God. In that obedience, we begin to change on the inside. We become less selfish and more righteous.
In fact, we become a slave to righteousness. Being a slave to righteousness means we want to do that which is right in God’s eyes.
It’s wanting to treat others with respect and dignity and with love and compassion. Listen to what Jesus taught in Matthew 7.
“In everything you do, be careful to treat others in the same way you’d want them to treat you, for that is the essence of all the teachings of the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12 TPT
Paul says as we continue to remain a slave to righteousness, when we get to heaven we will receive the crown of righteousness. It’s a crown that we can lay at the feet of Jesus.
And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8
If we remain or revert back to being a slave of sin, there is no reward. Sin only produces wages and listen to what verse 23 says.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
Lord, because you have made a way for us, we can be free from our slavery to sin. It is only through your son Jesus we can become slaves to righteousness.
Related Posts
- What’s The Best Way To Seek Forgiveness Of Sin?
- When Someone Unintentionally Sins, What Happens?
- How Does My Sin Affect Other People?
- It’s Important To Know How Sinful We Are
- Will God Forgive Me If I Keep Sinning
- God Helps the Helpless and Sets Us Free
Check out the entire chapter of Romans 6.
To receive each new devotional post delivered to your inbox, subscribe below by giving us your first name and email address.
