Devotion for August 31, 2008

A Slave of Righteousness

“But God be thanked that [though] you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human [terms] because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members [as] slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness [leading] to [more] lawlessness, so now present your members [as] slaves [of] righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things [is] death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin [is] death, but the gift of God [is] eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:17-23 NKJV).

Salvation is more than just praying a prayer to secure a pardon for your wickedness. In fact, if all you sought was a pardon, it is possible that you will be found wanting in the end. You must turn from your sin in repentance to be saved.

Notice Paul says they were slaves of sin, but obeyed from the heart correct doctrine and were set free from sin. Wanting to be clear, Paul uses the example of slavery to make his point. They understood slavery first hand. It was a part of their lives. When one was a slave he gave himself to the service of his master. In this case the master was sin.

Likewise, those who are saved must present themselves to a new master—righteousness! Driving his point home, Paul asks, “What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed?” The answer is none for the end of those things is death!

Notice that the wages of sin is death. One might expect to read next, the wages of righteousness is life. However, it is not by works of righteousness that we have done that a person is saved, but it is by the gift of God. That gift, however, is not an empty box but contains fruit to holiness.

My dear friends, are you a slave of righteousness, or are you still in bondage? To whom do you present yourself for service? Is sin your master or righteousness? Do not get distracted with all the complex doctrines in Scripture and miss the most important one. Salvation is freedom from the guilt of sin and the power of sin. It would be a great tragedy to pass into a hellish eternity with a head full of facts and a heart void of understanding. Make sure your life bears the marks of a true conversion experience.