Grace vs. Sin Series [Part 4 of 5]: Click | View Series

Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? (Romans 6:16)

“Go on, or die”

The American South has a dark history in regards to human slavery. However, there are some inspiring pre-abolition stories. Harriet Tubman, an escaped Maryland slave, had a major role in the secretive movement known as the Underground Railroad. Through this network, Tubman and others were able to liberate numerous captive slaves.

It is reported that on one occasion, as a freed group was heading north to secure their freedom, a man began to lose heart and wanted to return to the plantation in re-submission to his captors. Tubman responded by pointing her rifle at the man and stating, “you go on, or die.” She did so both to prevent the man from losing his one shot at freedom and to protect the integrity of the continued mission of liberation. Choosing to return to bondage would essentially be his death and would cause the death of others. Tubman’s identity as a free woman motivated her mission to bring others to this freedom at any cost.

Freedom Is the New Slavery

Paul addresses spiritual slavery and freedom in Romans 6. He makes clear that all are enslaved either to sin or Christ—there is no middle option. Freedom from Christ is enslavement to sin. Freedom from sin is enslavement to Christ. Slaves obey the one they serve, and in turn become more like their master. The ironic twist for Christians is that our freedom is a different form of slavery: union with the Christ who has set us free.

Obedience in Identity

Our obedience stems from our identity. As slaves to sin, we obey sin, which results in impurity and lawlessness (v. 19), unrighteousness (v. 20), shame (v. 21), and death (v. 23). However, our new identity as slaves to God (v. 22) and slaves to righteousness (v. 18) results in obedience, sanctification (v. 19), and eternal life (vv. 22-23).

This is life in the gospel: not that we obey and thus become slaves to Christ, but that we are slaves to Christ and thus we obey. The command to “present yourselves” is obedience empowered by the liberating grace which binds us to Christ.

To be continued.

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