January 15, 2014
SIN LIFE = GUILT AND SHAME. RIGHTEOUS LIFE = FREEDOM AND ETERNAL LIFE.
Romans 6:15-23
Adam Buttorff
Central Truth
We were once slaves to sin and the destruction that comes with it. Now we are free from sin, and because of our dedication to righteousness, we bear much fruit.
Key Verse | Romans 6:22
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. (Romans 6:22)
Romans 6:15-23
Slaves to Righteousness
15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, 1 6:16 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; twice in this verse; also verses 17, 19 (twice), 20 you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.
20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Dive Deeper | Romans 6:15-23
What do you want your tombstone to say? What do you want to be said about you when you are gone? That you were a good person, made lots of money, or were funny? Or would you like it to say, "Here lies a man who faithfully served others and loved Jesus, and because of his love for Jesus, there are several of us today who have a new life in Christ." That is what I want: to show others the love I have been shown by Christ. That is a sobering thought to put my life in perspective of the end now before we get to Heaven.
Early in my life, I cared only for me and what made me happy. Now that Jesus has changed my heart and has given me freedom from my struggle with pornography, I want my life to count for His name's sake. I want others to see and feel God's grace and the forgiveness of sin that I have been given, no matter my past. I was a slave to lust and anything the world offered to make me happy. All that got me was misery, guilt, and shame. As Christ changed my life, I am now able to surrender myself to His grace, and my life can be a benefit instead of a disaster. Joel 2:25a (NIV) says, "I will repay you for the years the locust have eaten." And, let me tell you, God has done that tenfold in my life.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) says, "'[M]y power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me." I have been more blessed by being obedient to righteousness and sharing my weakness. My struggle with porn and lust of this world I share with anyone who will listen, because Jesus saved me from it all. Now I am not defined by my past, but by Jesus Christ.
Stay faithful, friends; that is where true freedom lives.
Discussion Questions
1. What fruit is your life currently producing?
2. What kind of fruit do you WANT your life to produce?
3. Whom do you need to share with today to help you along the way?
4. What are the good things you need to stop doing so you can focus on the great things you need to be doing?