Scripture
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! 16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 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. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
Reflection
Again we see how Paul is using a question, as the case in chapter 6:1, to answer an almost obvious rational follow-up question (which the readers at that time most likely brought up). In these verses Paul is making a claim that it doesn’t matter what you end up choosing the Law or grace, be default you will end up being a slave to one of the two. You cannot serve two masters at the same time. At the end your priorities, lifestyle, and behaviors will most likely reveal which side you are on. Paul is arguing, since by default we will end up being a salve to either the Law or grace, why not choose and live a life where you are a slave to obedience (grace) since this allegiance ultimately leads to righteousness – which is pleasing to God.
Paul is reminding his readers that rationality used to justify our actions always falls one way or the other. We can never serve two masters at the same time. We can’t live a double life (Con).
Thoughts for the day
- Do you sometimes reason rationally certain actions in your life that could lead to sin, and forget that at the end you can only serve one master?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- How will you apply what God is telling you in your life today?
- Is there someone you feel you need to tell this message to?
Prayer
Look around you right now at the people who are sitting near you or standing and pray for them.