Slaves to Sin and Slaves to Righteousness (2)
[Romans 6:15-23]
Last week during the Wednesday worship service, we meditated on being "slaves to sin." Today, as we reflect on being the "slaves to righteousness," we seek to receive the grace given to us.
Romans 6:17-18 states: "But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." In this passage, the Bible speaks of our being "slaves to sin" originally. God had commanded Adam not to eat the fruit from the tree that would make him aware of good and evil (Gen. 2:17). However, Adam disobeyed God's command, rebelled, and sinned by eating the forbidden fruit (3:6). Therefore, Adam became a slave to sin. All Adam's descendants born afterward were born as slaves to sin, living a life of sin and destined for eternal punishment. However, the Bible now declares that the saints of the Roman church and we are now slaves to righteousness (Rom. 6:17-18). How did those who were originally "slaves to sin" become 'slaves to righteousness'? It happened because we obeyed from the heart the pattern of teaching that has been handed down, being set free from sin so that we became slaves to righteousness (vv. 17-18). Here, the "pattern of teaching" refers to the gospel that the apostle Paul preached. This gospel proclaims that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:1, 3-4). By obeying this gospel "from the heart," we have been "set free from sin" and have become slaves to righteousness (Rom. 6:17-18). However, despite being freed from sin and becoming slaves to righteousness, there are times when we obey with outward appearances. To such individuals, the Bible says: "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free" (Eph. 6:6-7), and "Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people" (Col. 3:22-23). We should obey with a sincere heart rather than just outwardly, as if to please the Lord.
We became slaves to righteousness by obeying from the heart the pattern of teaching that is the gospel of Jesus Christ, our teaching model (Rom. 6:17-18). It is crucial to understand that becoming slaves to righteousness is never a result of our efforts or good deeds. In other words, our righteousness is not attained by what we do. Our righteousness comes solely because Jesus Christ, the obedient slave (Rom. 6:16), completely obeyed God the Father, even to the point of dying on the cross (v. 17; cf. Phil. 2:8, Modern Korean Bible). We have received salvation through God's grace by believing in our hearts in Jesus Christ (Rom. 10:10; cf. Eph. 2:8, Modern Korean Bible). This salvation is not achieved by our strength but is a gift from God (Eph. 2:8, Modern Korean Bible). Therefore, we are justified before God and become slaves of righteousness through the grace of God's salvation by hearing and believing in the gospel of Jesus Christ, the teaching model (Rom. 6:17) that has been proclaimed to us (Eph. 1:13, Modern Korean Bible).
Romans 6:19 says: "I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness." This verse emphasizes the contrast between our past and present conditions. In the past, we offered our bodies as slaves to impurity and wickedness, but now, having received righteousness through faith in Christ, we are to offer our bodies as slaves to righteousness, leading to holiness. This involves presenting all aspects of our bodies, both visible and invisible, as instruments or weapons of righteousness to God (Rom. 6:13). Today's passage in verse 19 reiterates the call to present all our members as "slaves to righteousness," dedicating ourselves wholly to live a holy life (Modern Korean Bible).
Romans 6:22 states: "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life." In this verse, the Bible emphasizes that, although we were originally slaves to sin, we have now been set free from sin and have become slaves to God. As a result, we bear the fruit of holiness, and the ultimate outcome is eternal life. Originally, we were slaves to sin (vv. 16, 17, 20), but God, in His plan (Gen. 3:15), has transformed us into slaves to obedience (v. 16), slaves to righteousness (vv. 18, 19, Modern Korean Bible), and ultimately, slaves to God (v. 22). When we were slaves to sin, we were under the control of Satan, the master manipulator who instigates and controls sin. However, now, as slaves of God, believers, or saints, are sanctified by God, bearing fruit that leads to holiness, and the final result is eternal life (v. 22). Therefore, as slaves of God, we can enjoy partial aspects of eternal life on this earth, and in the coming age, we will fully and eternally experience the joy of eternal life. Consequently, we should express our gratitude to God (v. 17).