12. Slaves to Righteousness

Romans 6:15 – 7:6p. 1042

Slaves to Righteousness

Last week:

8 We are no longer slaves to sin:, Our sinful natures have been crucified (v 6)

, We are no longer under Law but under Grace (v 14)

8 We have been given freedom to CHOOSE ! ! !

8 “Shall we sin because we are not under Law but under Grace?” (v 15)

Slaves to Righteousness . . .

8 Comes at the question from the opposite end:, Previously: Perspective of the oppressive

power of sin

, Now: Perspective of our freedom to choose.

8 Key concepts foreign to us in the modern world., Slaves + Freedom

, Righteousness + Shalom

, Law + Spirit

1. Slaves & Freedom

8 Modern Western world – two ideas:, Individual autonomy: a definition of

freedom

, Rationalism: only Natural laws – no supernatural.

8 Ancient world: Everyone had a duty to another, Part of the right ordering of the cosmos.

8 Today: Freedom = do what I want, when I want.

1. Slaves & Freedom . . .

8 Paul: We are all slaves to someone.

8 Only two possible options:, Slaves to Sin – reward is death (v 21, 23)

, Slaves to Righteousness – reward is Life (v 22, 23)

8 We are slaves to the one we obey (v 16)

8 Obedience, righteousness, holiness, life – all intimately related.

1. Slaves & Freedom . . .

8 Key word: “Offer” (v 19), We get to choose who we offer ourselves to.

8 We cannot be our own masters:, We end up being slaves to sin.

8 Human nature finds peace when oriented to God, We were not created to be our own

masters!

1. Slaves & Freedom . . .

8 Example from everyday life – term “slaves”

8 Being slaves to God is no slavery at all !!!, It is the ultimate freedom.

, Freedom to be all that we were created to be.

, Freedom to do all that leads to fulfillment and flourishing – SHALOM !

, To be His slaves is to be truly free.

2. Righteousness & Shalom

8 Obedience, righteousness, holiness, life intimately related.

8 Who do we serve when we are “slaves to God”?, We are serving our own best interests !

8 Doing whatever I like without reference to my long-term wellbeing or that of others or the environment is not a life of perfect freedom!, No Shalom in selfish ambition, greed, vanity, . . .

, We find shalom in life lived in intimacy with God.

2. Righteousness & Shalom . . .

8 Offer ourselves as slaves to righteousness . . .

. . . path to Shalom.

8 Choosing righteousness is not a magic spell . . . . . . It is a path to a fulfilled life

8 Not easy because we are surrounded by the ravages of sin.

8 Perseverance is required.

2. Righteousness & Shalom . . .

8 Think about Shalom in your own life., Are you living with fulfillment and joy?

, What things are a block to a closer walk with God?

, Ask God to set you free to be a slave of righteousness

, Lent starts in one month – Wed Feb 22nd." Consider spending 40 days pursuing

righteousness.

3. Law & Spirit

8 Illustration and application:

8 We know that the Law is changed by death, Example of marriage (v 1-3).

8 We died through Christ (v 4) so that we could belong to another., Purpose: so that we could belong to

another. – Jesus.

, So that we might “bear fruit for God” (v 4)" Previously bore fruit for death (v 5)

3. Law & Spirit . . .

8 A new piece to the puzzle of salvation, We live in the Holy Spirit.

8 No relationship with God based on the law !, Relationships don’t work that way.

, Life in the Spirit takes us to the heart and purposes of God.

8 Only payment for sin is death; God offers Life.

Slaves of whom we Obey

8 “We are slaves of the one we obey” (v 16)

8 One form of slavery leads to death

8 The other is no slavery at all, It leads to Shalom

, A life of joy and peace.

, A life of SHALOM [wellbeing, all as it should be]