June 21 | Romans 6:15-23

Elaine Pierce
4 days ago
2 min read

DAILY READING

REFLECTION

Joyful Slavery

By Elaine Pierce

Paul is presenting the Roman Christians with two very different choices: You can decide to be a slave to sin or you can be a slave to righteousness. It sounds pretty easy, doesn't it - of course I choose righteousness! Who wants to be a slave anyway? I want to be in charge!

Notice how Paul reminds us that we are 'weak in our natural selves' (v. 19). When we count on ourselves for wisdom for direction, for guidance, we will always end up in 'slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness (v. 19).' As a matter of fact, Paul tells us that we need to turn from sin and instead, become 'slaves to God (v. 22).'

I will be honest: I recoil at the word 'slave.' I don't want to be anybody's slave. God's people were delivered from their Egyptian slaves, but we know that there were many times in their history that other kingdoms conquered them and used Jews as slaves. Our country had a bloody civil war over whether white people could enslave Africans. And, yes, slavery exists today. Some estimates are that nearly 50 million people live in circumstances of modern slavery.

The 'slavery' that Paul describes can be physical, but the ultimate result of being a slave to sin is death. And being a slave to God? Verse 23 gives us hope:

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

It doesn't get any better than that, does it! Eternal life in Christ Jesus!

Every day we are faced with the choice: slave to sin or slave to God. We will serve one or the other. He waits patiently for us, and he offers us hope, peace and joy. Let's choose God.

PRAYER

Lord, I want to be a slave to righteousness, but so often I fall off the side of the road that leads to sin and destruction. Help me today and each day to follow you. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELAINE PIERCE

It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!