Romans 6:12-23, New Revised Standard Version

Slavery is part of the American culture and American church.  To be enslaved means your life is no longer free to be who God created you to be.  There are obstacles to your freedom.  Some of the barriers are other-inflicted and others are self-inflicted.  Paul is delivering a dramatic word for those enslaved.  Freedom is the ultimate life afforded those who follow Jesus!  Our new master is not human, but sovereign.

Love is the imperative for freedom to exist.  Exercising this freedom comes from acknowledging God’s activity of justifying and sanctifying grace.  No longer can sin direct our lives.  Through Jesus Christ we are set free and on a journey toward salvation and perfection (sanctification).

Sin no longer has power in our lives!
For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.   Romans 6:14

Justifying grace in Christ is a gift of assurance!
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 greater and greater iniquity, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness for sanctification.   Romans 6:19

Sanctification is learning to love God and neighbor!
But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is sanctification.   Romans 6:22

W.O.W., the Words of Wisdom,
“God’s Grace is Amazing!”