In addition to violating human dignity, the word “slave” is negatively charged by the history of slavery plus the horrors of today’s sex-slave industry.
That, plus our pride, makes it hard for us to embrace the wonder of surrendering fully to the rule of Christ, but believing that we can have Abundant Life when we do, changes everything.
THE SIMPLE TRUTH
Paul said it so well: “Do you not know that the one to whom you present yourselves as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of that same one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?
17) But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were entrusted, 18) and after being freed from sin, you became slaves to righteousness. 19) I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented the parts of your body as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your body’s parts as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.
When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21) What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22) 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.” Rom. 6:16-22 nasb
IS SIN FUN?
Tell me, is sin fun for more than the moment? What do guilt, and the frustration of never being satisfied, do to our blood pressure? And to our eating habits which impact our weight and health?
Does sin help us sleep better at night or make us more enjoyable to be around? Do bitterness, unrighteous anger, jealousy and lust settle our stomach? Why do we need so many sleeping pills and anti-depression drugs? And why is the counseling industry thriving so?
It’s all because, by Adam’s choice we were captives of Satan, and we have not now fully surrendered to the rule of Christ in a way that produces Abundant Life. We have not yet yielded ourselves to Him as Master – but the beauty of righteousness really can bloom in the desert of our bleak world when we do.
Next: CHOICE
Ken Stoltzfus
Kidron, OH USA
April 26, 2021
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