[436 words]
Christians should condemn slavery, yet there is a kind of slavery that the Christian should be involved in. This type of slavery involves a person’s willingness to either be a slave of God or a slave of the devil. The word translated servant in King James Version in this passage literally means slave or bondservant, and in the case of the Christian it is a voluntary slavery.
No one has a choice when it comes to being a slave. One will become a slave of the devil or a slave of God. This has been evident since the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3). Jeremiah was right when he wrote that it was not in man to direct his steps (Jer. 10:23). Man must decide to either become a slave of the devil or of Christ because as Christ pointed out in Matthew 6:24, man cannot serve two masters. As Paul taught in our text, we will either become slaves of sin or slaves unto righteousness.
It should be noted also that all have been slaves to sin at some point in their lives. This is pointed out in Romans 3:23 where Paul points out that all have sinned. Romans 6:19 says, “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.” Christians need to remember that they are under grace, and they need to get out of the sinning business (Rom. 6:15).
Finally, we want to compare the differences between a slave of the devil (sin) and a slave of God (righteousness) as seen in Romans 6. A slave of sin lives according to the lust of the flesh, instead of the will of God (Rom. 6:12,13). Those who serve Christ will yield themselves as instruments of righteousness. Next, a slave of sin lives for themselves, but a slave of righteousness lives for Christ and others (Rom. 6:16). Lastly, those who live as slaves of the devil or of sin will die spiritually, whereas slaves of God will find everlasting life (Romans 6:21-23).
How does one choose to whom they belong? Listen to Paul’s words in Romans 6:17: “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.” Today, I challenge you to live for Jesus and become His willing slave to follow Him even to death (Rev. 2:10).
Billy Cline
Southside church of Christ
Batesville, AR